Egypt widens military trials of 'terrorism-linked' civilians

Egypt widens military trials of 'terrorism-linked' civilians
Sisi's new decree will not target protesters or political activists, says the president's spokesman.
2 min read
27 October, 2014
Thousands of political activists have been jailed [Getty]

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Monday issued a decree allowing military trials for civilians suspected of attacking state infrastructure, after a string of deadly strikes on soldiers.

The president's move comes after at least 30 soldiers were killed when an army checkpoint on the Sinai peninsula was attacked on Friday.

"There is a big difference between attacking public installations and protesting," said Alaa Youssef, Sisi's spokesman.

The law aims to "protect public institutions and utilities from terrorist attacks".

The new ruling, to be applied for two years, places state infrastructure - including electricity pylons, major roads and bridges - under military protection, allowing the army to try anyone suspected of attacking them.

Crackdown

"Crimes against public institutions, facilities and properties fall under the jurisdiction of the military judiciary," the decree states.

Egypt has witnessed a surge in attacks on infrastructure since the 30 July 2013 coup ousted President Mohamed Morsi.

The coup also unleashed a deadly crackdown on his supporters, leaving hundreds dead and thousands in jail - a crackdown which was swiftly expanded to secular revolutionary forces.  

The military already has the power to try civilians for attacks on military targets, but the president's decree expands these powers considerably by defining elements of state infrastructure as "military facilities".

A military tribunal last week sentenced seven alleged members of armed groups to death for a series of attacks on soldiers and police in Cairo and the Nile Delta.