Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi approved on Sunday night a new anti-terrorism law. The new law, which came weeks after President Sisi vowed harsher laws following the assassination of Egypt’s Prosecutor General Hisham Barakat, sets up new special courts and outlines tough measures against ‘terrorist activity’. Below are 10 main points you should know about the new law. 1. The law gives greater legal protection to military and police officers In cases of police and military violence, the law gives greater legal leeway for when this is seen to be part of their duty of defeating insurgencies. 2. Under the law, terrorism is defined as “any act that disturbs public order with violence.” The law also allows any case falling under this bracket to be fast-tracked through special courts. 3. Establishing or leading a terrorist group will be punishable by death or a life sentence It remains unclear whether time would be given for a group deemed to be a ‘terrorist group’ to disband before its members are arrested or charged with leading or establishing a terrorist group. 4. Joining a terrorist group will carry up to 10 years imprisonment…
10 Things You Should Know About Egypt’s New Anti-Terrorism Law
August 19, 2015
