Category · Q&A index
Criminal
Criminal law in Egypt: offences, procedure, penalties.
25YEARS
Maximum prison sentence for serious felonies
Life
Sentence for murder or high treason
3YEARS
Prison term for cybercrime offences
EGP 100,000
Civil damages claimable by crime victims
Start here
01
I'm worried about online activity and digital laws
Understand Egyptian cybercrime laws, digital offense penalties, and whether your online actions—from website access to hacking—can result in prosecution, including cases involving VPNs and blocked websites.
02
I'm a foreigner facing criminal charges in Egypt
Learn which Egyptian criminal laws apply to non-citizens, your legal rights as an expat, how jurisdiction works for crimes committed abroad, and the differences between Egyptian Penal Code and Sharia law implications.
03
I'm a crime victim seeking damages or justice
Explore your options as a victim in Egypt, including whether you can sue for damages, your role in prosecution, victim rights, and how Egyptian criminal courts handle compensation and restitution claims.
20 answered questions
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Felony vs Misdemeanor vs Contravention?
Egyptian law divides crimes into felonies (death/imprisonment), misdemeanours (detention/fines over 100 EGP), and contraventions (fines under 100 EGP).
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Is self-defense legal in Egypt?
You won't be punished if you act to protect yourself or another from serious, imminent danger, provided you didn't cause the danger and had no other way to prevent it.
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Principal vs Accomplice in Egyptian Criminal Law?
A principal directly commits a crime; an accomplice incites, agrees to, or assists in it. Accomplices face the same penalty unless law says otherwise.
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Is it illegal to access blocked websites or use a VPN in Egypt?
Accessing blocked websites intentionally violates Egypt's Law No. 175 of 2018, with imprisonment and fines as penalties. Using a VPN to bypass blocks carries legal risk under Articles 14–15.
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What is an attempt (criminal attempt), and is it punishable?
Criminal attempt is executing an act to commit a felony or misdemeanor but stopped or fails. Attempting a felony is punishable; attempting a misdemeanor only if law specifies.
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Can Your Website Get Blocked in Egypt?
Yes, Egyptian authorities can block websites under Law No. 175 of 2018 for national security threats. Website owners have appeal rights under Article 8.
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Sharia Law vs Egyptian Penal Code: Expat Rights?
Article 9 of the Egyptian Penal Code protects Islamic Sharia in family law matters for expats, while secular law governs criminal cases like theft and assault.
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Can a Crime Victim Sue for Damages in Egypt?
Article 8 of Egypt's Penal Code preserves victims' rights to seek civil compensation independently of any criminal sentence imposed on the offender.
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Can Egypt Prosecute Crimes Committed Abroad?
Egypt can prosecute certain crimes committed abroad, especially by Egyptian nationals, though Article 6 provides some protection against double prosecution.
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Does Egyptian Criminal Law Apply to Foreigners?
Egyptian criminal law applies to all persons on Egyptian territory regardless of nationality, as stated in Article 3 of the Penal Code.
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What Are Egypt's Most Serious Criminal Punishments?
Egypt's most serious criminal punishments include capital punishment by hanging, hard labor for life or fixed terms, and imprisonment with compulsory work.
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Egyptian Crime Categories and Penalties?
Egyptian crimes fall into 3 categories: felonies (death/hard labor), misdemeanors (detention/fines over 100 EGP), and contraventions (fines up to 100 EGP).
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Which Law Applies to My Criminal Case in Egypt?
Article 7 of Egypt's Penal Code applies the law in force when the crime occurred. If a new, more lenient law passes before final judgment, you benefit from it.
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Does Egypt's Cybercrime Law Apply to Foreigners?
Egypt's cybercrime law (Article 3) explicitly extends to non-Egyptians who commit offenses abroad if those acts affect Egypt or its interests.
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Accidental Account Access Laws in Egypt?
Accidentally accessing another person's account is a criminal offense in Egypt if you remain logged in, under Article 14 of Law No. 175 of 2018.
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Email Hacking Penalties in Egypt?
Hacking or disrupting an individual's email or account in Egypt carries at least one month's imprisonment and a fine under Article 18 of Law No. 175 of 2018.
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When can the court suspend the execution of my sentence?
Courts may suspend sentence execution for fines or detention under one year if rehabilitation seems likely. The three-year suspension ends if you're convicted of detention exceeding one month.
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Can Phone Data Be Used Against Me in Egypt?
Yes, phone data is admissible in Egyptian courts with same weight as traditional evidence under Law 175/2018. Authorities can access data for up to 30 days, renewable once.
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Can Egypt Prosecute Online Posts From Abroad?
Under Article 3 of Law No. 175 of 2018, Egypt can prosecute non-Egyptians for cybercrime committed abroad if it affects Egyptian persons or interests.
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Can Egyptian ISPs Share Your Browsing Data?
Egyptian service providers must retain your browsing data under Law No. 175 of 2018. Authorities can access this data via court order valid up to 30 days.