Cairo: Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has approved stringent new laws to counter-terrorism in the country. The new amendment in legislation are in view to fight the growing Islamist insurgency in the region.
These laws are to establish special courts and offer additional protection from legal consequences for military and police officers who would be authorized to use these forces.
The law also imposes a death penalty for anyone found guilty of setting up or leading a terrorist group.
Rights groups have warned that the legislation amendment could be used by Mr Sisi to crush protest.
For the past two years, Egypt has been in the hold of an insurgency by Islamist groups.
They have been trying to bring down the ruling government led by Mr.Sisi.
The Egyptian president was pledged back in June to bring in tough new legislation, following the assassination of public prosecutor by car bomb blast.
The new laws being introduced are:
1. Trials for suspected militants will be made fast through special courts.
2. Anyone found guilty of joining a militancy, could face up to 10 years imprisonment
3. Financing terrorist groups will also carry a penalty with life term imprisonment (minimum 25-year term).
4. Acknowledgment regarding violence or creating websites capable to spread or motivate terrorism will carry sentences ranging between five to seven years
5. Journalists could be fined $25,000 for contradicting official accounts of militant attacks.
The original draft of the law was revised following domestic and international demand.

Video on a terrorist attack in Egypt