Egyptian penal code treats firecrackers exactly as explosives

CAIRO – 2 June 2019: As Muslim's Eid al-Fitr (translated as the feast of breaking the fast) is only a couple of days away, many of the Egyptian children are preparing, as in every Eid, to buy firecrackers.

However, many parents do not even know that firecrackers are illegal.

Firecrackers have been a way for children to express their joy, despite being annoying and noisy to many people walking in the streets or even sleeping in their flats that overlook the streets.

Egypt's Court of Cassation said in 2018 that fireworks include some materials used in manufacturing explosives, which makes it illegal to import these fireworks without a license.

The court referred to Article 102 (a) of the Penal Code which stipulates that anyone who possesses, manufactures or imports explosivesbefore he obtains a license shall be punished bylife imprisonment or aggravated imprisonment.

Any of the substance included in the composition of explosives, according to the list attached to the interior minister's decision number 2225 for 2007, shall be treated as explosives.

Lawyer Nabil Ishaq said that the law has been strictconcerning possessing, manufacturing or importing explosives as they pose a danger to society.

All explosives are treated as one in the Egyptian Penal Code, Ishaq said, adding that the possession of explosive materials is the same as the possession of fireworks. There is no difference between them except in how the court will handle the case, and the cause of possessing these materials.

The decree No. 1872 of the Minister of Interior identified the materials that are considered as explosives, including gunpowder, a lawyer said.

In this regard, security forces in Cairo announced on Monday arresting three people while trading in fireworks; the forces seized as many as 2.4 million firecrackers.