PM prolongs prosecution of defendants in precise crimes by State Security Emergency Courts

CAIRO – 28 April 2020: Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly issued a decree on Tuesday providing that the crimes of unlicensed mass gatherings, transportation hindering, thuggery, arms trafficking, and black market trade of staples are referred by the Public Prosecution to State Security Emergency Courts instead of criminal courts.

The prime minister issues such decree every three months along with the renewal of the emergency law enforcement by the president. The State Security Emergency Courts are specialized in felonies and crimes that threaten national security, and may cause the country to fall into chaos.

President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi issued a decree Monday to renew the emergency law enforcement with the aim of facilitating measures that can be taken in the face of terrorism, and other threats to national security.

On April 23, dozens of citizens in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria carried a model of the Kaaba and toured the streets.The people were celebrating the advent of the holy month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar where Muslims worldwide fast from dusk to dawn, and doubting the existence of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The police arrested the organizers of the march the following day.

On March 23, dozens of citizens in Egypt's second largest city organized a march to affirm their willpower against COVID-19 pandemic chanting "God is Great."

On April 23, the Cabinet reduced the partial curfew hours by one hour to take place from 9p.m. until 6a.m. On April 7, President Sisi affirmed there is no shortage in staples, and that all staples are always stocked for three months ahead.