Deterrent penalties to demolishing antiquities, unlicensed excavation in Egypt’s: Law

CAIRO – 31 January 2022: Anyone who intentionally demolishes antiquities will be imprisoned for a period not exceeding seven years, and a fine of no less than L.E. 500,000, according to Law on the Protection of Antiquities in Egypt.

The law stipulates a number of deterrent penalties that contribute to the preservation of archaeological sites and collectibles that carry historical and archaeological value, especially with regard to the erroneous practices that occur by some visitors inside the archaeological shrines, and affect the life of the antiquity in the long run.

The following are the most important penalties stipulated by law when committing the following practices:

1. Imprisonment for a period not exceeding seven years, and a fine of no less than five hundred thousand pounds, for anyone who intentionally demolishes a movable or immovable antiquity.

2. Writing phrases on antiquities with the intent of distorting them will expose you to the same aforementioned punishment.

4. Excavation works with the intention of obtaining antiquities without a license will be also punished.

5. Tough imprisonment and a fine of no less than one million pounds for the crime of excavation if the accused is an employee of the Ministry of Antiquities.