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Egyptian president ratifies law to punish 'false' reporting of terror attacks Egypt imposes anti-terror law that punishes 'false' reporting of attacks
(about 4 hours later)
Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ratified a controversial new anti-terrorism law which stipulates exorbitant fines, and possible suspension from employment, for “false” reporting on militant attacks. An anti-terror law that stipulates exorbitant fines, and possible suspension from employment, for “false” reporting on militant attacks has come into effect in Egypt.
The government sped up the passage of the law after the state prosecutor was assassinated in a car bombing in late June, followed by a large-scale jihadist attack in the Sinai peninsula days later. The government sped up the passage of the law after the state prosecutor was assassinated in a car bombing in late June, followed by a large-scale jihadi attack in the Sinai peninsula days later.
The military was infuriated after media, quoting security officials, reported that dozens of troops had been killed in the Sinai attack. The military’s official death toll was 21 soldiers and scores of jihadists.The military was infuriated after media, quoting security officials, reported that dozens of troops had been killed in the Sinai attack. The military’s official death toll was 21 soldiers and scores of jihadists.
Related: How Egyptian media has become a mouthpiece for the military stateRelated: How Egyptian media has become a mouthpiece for the military state
The controversial law, published in the government’s official gazette, 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 militants. The law, ratified by President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, 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 militants.
Critics say the steep fines may shut down smaller newspapers, and deter larger ones from independently reporting on attacks and operations against militants.Critics say the steep fines may shut down smaller newspapers, and deter larger ones from independently reporting on attacks and operations against militants.
The government had initially proposed a jail sentence for offenders, but backed down after a backlash from Egyptian media.The government had initially proposed a jail sentence for offenders, but backed down after a backlash from Egyptian media.
The ratified law, however, added another clause allowing courts to “prevent the convicted from practising the profession for a period of no more than one year, if the crime violates the principles of the profession.” The ratified law, however, added another clause allowing courts to “prevent the convicted from practising the profession for a period of no more than one year, if the crime violates the principles of the profession”.
It did not specifically mention journalism.It did not specifically mention journalism.
The law has raised fears that journalists could be put on trial for their reporting.The law has raised fears that journalists could be put on trial for their reporting.
Three journalists, including Australian Peter Greste, had already been sentenced to up to 10 years in prison for “defaming” the country and supporting the blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood movement.Three journalists, including Australian Peter Greste, had already been sentenced to up to 10 years in prison for “defaming” the country and supporting the blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood movement.
The reporters with the Qatari Al-Jazeera English channel won a retrial that will conclude at the end of the month. The reporters with the Qatari al-Jazeera English channel won a retrial that will conclude at the end of the month.
Government officials say the law requires proof of intent to publish false reports to secure a conviction.Government officials say the law requires proof of intent to publish false reports to secure a conviction.
It also lays out the death penalty for those convicted of leading “terrorist groups” or financing attacks.It also lays out the death penalty for those convicted of leading “terrorist groups” or financing attacks.
Hundreds of Islamists have been sentenced to death in mass trials since Sisi, a former army chief, overthrew Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013.Hundreds of Islamists have been sentenced to death in mass trials since Sisi, a former army chief, overthrew Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013.
Many of them have won retrials, and Morsi himself, sentenced to death last June, has appealed his verdict. Many of them have won retrials, and Morsi himself, sentenced to death last June, has appealed against his verdict.
At least 1,400 people, many of them supporters of Morsi, were killed in a crackdown on protests after his overthrow.At least 1,400 people, many of them supporters of Morsi, were killed in a crackdown on protests after his overthrow.
Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood movement, once the most influential grassroots organisation in the country, has been blacklisted as a terrorist organisation.Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood movement, once the most influential grassroots organisation in the country, has been blacklisted as a terrorist organisation.