Egypt mulls greater penalty for divulging state secrets

The Egyptian parliament is discussing a draft law to make the penalty for divulging state secrets tougher, local media reported yesterday.

Al-Ahram quoted sources as saying that the bill was being revised by parliament’s Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee.

The draft law states that the defendant would face a prison sentence ranging from six months to five years, and a fine ranging from 5,000 Egyptian pounds ($318) to 50,000 Egyptian pounds ($3,183).

According to the bill, anyone who has unconsciously shared classified state defence information to a foreign country, secretly conveyed national security information, used messaging systems to obtain or disclose classified information, or gathered army classified information without prior permission would be liable to trial under the law.

“The perpetrators could face a prison sentence if the crime was committed in war time, or through a system that hides their personality, nationality or profession, or if they were public servants or army officials,” the bill read.

Egypt currently fines anyone who discloses classified state information around 100-500 Egyptian pounds ($6.37-$31.83).

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