Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has approved an anti-terrorism law that sets up special courts and provides protections to its enforcers.
The controversial law, published in the government’s official gazette on Sunday, sets a minimum fine of 200,000 Egyptian pounds (about $25,000) and a maximum of 500,000 pounds for anyone who strays from government statements in publishing or spreading “false” reports on attacks or security operations against armed fighters, Al Jazeera reported.
It also shields those applying it, such as the military and police, from legal ramifications for the proportionate use of force “in performing their duties.” The law also seeks prison terms for those found guilty of “inciting, or prepared to incite, directly or indirectly, a terrorist act.”
Forming or leading a group deemed a “terrorist entity” by the government will be punishable by death or life in prison. Membership in such a group, such as the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, will carry up to 10 years in jail.
Journalists will also be fined for contradicting the authorities’ version of any “terrorist” attack.
26 Officers Jailed for Coup Attempt
A military court in Egypt has sentenced 26 army officers to jail, after being convicted on charges that included plotting for a military coup.
The officers, four of whom are retired colonels, were given sentences ranging from 10 to 25 years.
According to BBC Arabic, which broke the news on Sunday, other charges include the disclosure of military secrets and membership of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Two members of the Brotherhood, Hilmi al-Jazzar and Mohamed Abdel Rahman, were both sentenced in absentia to 25 years in prison.
This is the first time that military officers have been indicted for plotting a coup against Sisi, who, then serving as head of the army, seized power in a military coup against the country’s first elected leader Mohamed Morsi.
