President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi ratified on Tuesday amendments to some articles of the Penal Code, after their approval by parliament, as per the published amends in the official state gazette.

The amendments included life sentences for whoever possesses, imports, or manufactures any explosive substances without a license, and the death penalty in cases of using such substances in terror attacks. Also, prison and life sentences will be handed to whoever possesses unlicensed materials or tools to manufacture bombs or explosive substances. In addition, prison sentences will be handed to those withholding information on individuals illegally possessing or manufacturing explosives.

According to the law, bombs or explosive substances should be manufactured or used by permission by the Ministry of Interior.

Earlier in March, the Egyptian Parliament approved a bill submitted by the government to amend the Penal Code to toughen punishments on the holders, importers, and manufacturers of explosive materials.

Moreover, in January 2018, Al-Sisi ratified other amendments to the Penal Code, which intensified penalties against child kidnappers, and amendments concerning the organisation of prisons and their regulations. The amended law stipulates that prisoners could be conditionally released after serving half of their terms, instead of two-thirds. The minimum duration to be spent in prison was reduced to six months instead of nine months.