Egyptian activists fear new penalties for foreign funding
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has issued a presidential decree increasing punishment for groups receiving foreign funding in the context of counterterrorism, but activists fear the new measures will target them.
Once again, Egyptian authorities have raised controversy among lawyers and activists as a result of legislative decisions and amendments to laws regarding acts threatening the country’s security. On Sept. 23, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issued a presidential decree to amend Article 78 of the Penal Code to include harsher punishment on those receiving foreign funding, within the context of the counterterrorism policy pursued by Egypt since the outbreak of the events of June 30, 2013.
According to the amendments, the same punishments are to be applied to anyone making offers or promises of foreign financial support including mediators. This amendment covers verbal offers, but also, "In case the request, or offer and the approval thereof was made through electronic or regular mail, the crime shall be considered committed once the letter or statement is issued.”
The previous law prohibited anyone from receiving support from "any foreign country or people working for its benefit,” but has been expanded to include legal citizens, and local and foreign organizations, whether they are affiliated with a foreign government or not.
The amendments also included nonexclusive means of funding, comprising “movable or immovable property, cash money, equipment, devices, weapons, ammunitions and the like.” This sentence previously ended with, “or any other possible device, including nonmilitary equipment or weapons.”
