CAIRO — In what observers, human rights activists and politicians consider a setback for freedoms in Egypt and a prelude to a historic turning point toward stifling dissent and cracking down on the young opposition, the Egyptian parliament began work on a new cybercrime law on May 10.

The move came after the Suggestions and Complaints Committee accepted parliament member Tamer Shahawy’s motion calling for action against “chaos” and individual "violations" on the internet. Some Egyptians had gone online to express their strong opposition to government moves including the Egyptian government’s decision to cede to Saudi Arabia the islands of Tiran and Sanafir. Shahawy considered the internet outcry a threat to national security.

A military man, Maj. Gen. Shahawy was nicknamed “the intelligence falcon” by his supporters for the 20 years he spent in the Egyptian military intelligence service before being elected to parliament.

On May 10, Shahawy announced that a number of government officials were present during the meeting to discuss the new bill, including representatives from the Defense and Interior Ministries. The bill was then reviewed by the defense and national security and communications committees before being put to a parliament vote.