CAIRO — The Council of Ministers approved Jan. 8 the draft amendments to Law No. 8 of 2015, with the goal of making more effective the measures to counter terrorism and terrorism financing. The amendments involve expanding the general prosecution’s powers of freezing the assets and funds of individuals and entities affiliated with terrorist groups or activities.

While Article 7 of the law requires freezing and seizing the funds of such individuals and entities when used in a terrorist activity only, the new amendments grant the authorities the right to freeze all of the funds the defendants own. The amendments stipulate freezing the funds or other assets owned solely or jointly or controlled directly or indirectly by the individual and entity, as well as the returns generated from these properties, and the funds or assets of the individuals and entities acting on their behalf.

The new amendments also stipulate freezing the funds and other financial assets and economic resources, including oil resources, and other natural resources and properties of any kind, regardless of how the individual or entity obtained them.

This is added to the digital and electronic national or foreign currencies, securities and negotiable instruments, and all rights attached, including bank credits, checks and travelers checks, documentary credits or any interests, profits or income sources generated from these funds or assets, or any other assets that may be used to obtain financing, products or services.