LEGISLATION WATCH- Gov’t moves to tighten punishment for abusing state-owned land, trespassing: The House of Representatives gave a preliminary nod yesterday to government-proposed draft legislative amendments to the penal code that steps up penalties for the illegal use of state-owned land, Masrawy reported. The amendments would introduce 2-5 year prison terms and fines between EGP 100k-1 mn for public sector employees found guilty of abusing state-owned land or assisting others to do so. Individuals would be sentenced to life in prison or hard labor in addition to a EGP 1-2 mn fine if they commit fraud. In all cases, the perpetrators would be forced to pay back any ill-gotten gains as well subsidize any necessary repairs or modifications to the land/property.

Trespassing: State employees would also face 2-5 years in prison and fines ranging between EGP 50k and EGP 500k for entering a property illegally. This would increase to EGP 100k-1 mn if fraud is involved.

What happens now? The amendments will go to a final vote as soon as two-thirds of House reps are in attendance.