Amid the repeated crimes of assaulting public property, lawyer Karim El-Habishi revealed the expected penalties facing defendants in such cases, affirming that the Egyptian law strictly deals with any violation affecting public funds or state infrastructure.

Basic Penalties for Theft

El-Habishi explained that theft of public property is a crime punishable under the Egyptian Penal Code, with penalties ranging from one to five years imprisonment and a fine, with the possibility of harsher punishment if special circumstances exist such as causing severe damage or using weapons and dangerous tools during the crime.

Aggravating Circumstances Warranting Life or Severe Imprisonment

The lawyer cited Article 315, which increases the penalty to life or severe imprisonment in the following cases:

    • Theft committed by two or more persons, one of whom carries a weapon.
    • Execution of the crime by coercion.
    • Theft occurring at night with threats of using a weapon.

Article 316 also stipulates severe imprisonment if the perpetrators commit theft at night and are more than one person, with one carrying a visible or concealed weapon.

Theft of State Utilities and Special Penalties

El-Habishi referred to Article 316 bis A, which prescribes imprisonment for anyone who steals tools or equipment belonging to electricity, water, or sewage utilities if the previous aggravating circumstances are not present.

Article 316 bis second B imposes a harsher penalty, including severe imprisonment and a fine ranging from 100,000 to one million Egyptian pounds for those who steal components or equipment used in telecommunications networks or their infrastructure.

Those who hide or deal in the stolen items mentioned in the same article face imprisonment and fines ranging from 50,000 to 500,000 Egyptian pounds.

A Message of Deterrence

The lawyer concluded by emphasizing that these deterrent penalties send a clear message to prevent any attempt to tamper with public utilities or steal their vital equipment, due to their direct danger to citizens’ lives and daily interests.