Revised anti-terror law lifts jail time for journalists

Egypt's Cabinet has amended a draft counterterrorism law so that journalists would be fined, rather than jailed, for contradicting the authorities' version of any terrorist attack, the state news agency reported.

The bill, which sets up new courts for terrorism trials, was proposed after Egypt's top prosecutor died in a car bombing and 17 members of the security forces were killed by Islamist insurgents in the Sinai.

It has been condemned by rights groups for fear that it would grant President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi "absolute powers" to crush dissent.

One provision of the bill would have made it a criminal offense for journalists or others to report on terrorist attacks in a way that contradicted the official version of events, with jail terms of at least two years. The planned law sparked a backlash from Egyptian media.

Justice Minister Ahmed al-Zind has said the article was first adopted because of the media coverage of a wave of bloody jihadist attacks against the army in the Sinai Peninsula on July 1.

The military said 21 soldiers were killed in the violence, claimed by Islamic State jihadists, but media agencies reported higher tolls, citing unnamed security sources.

The attacks came days after state prosecutor Hisham Barakat was assassinated in a car bombing, the most senior government official killed in the jihadist insurgency, prompting Sisi to demand tougher laws and faster trials for alleged militants.

Hundreds of soldiers and policemen have been killed by militants since Morsi's overthrow, while at least 1,400 people, mostly Islamists, have lost their lives during a police crackdown on protesters.

The Cabinet spokesman told state news agency MENA that the article had been amended to replace the jail time with a fine of 200,000 to 500,000 Egyptian pounds ($25,500 to $63,800).

Reuters - AFP