Maghreb Edition

Egypt condemns 8 foreigners to death for smuggling heroinF



Posted On 6 September 2021

Number of times this article was read : 530

A court in Egypt on Sunday sentenced eight foreigners and two Egyptians to death on charges of smuggling in over two tonnes of heroin by sea, a judicial source said. Authorities seized the drugs brought in via the Red Sea, worth around 2.5 billion pounds ($159 million), in 2019. Seven Pakistanis, two Egyptians and an Iranian were convicted for having stashed the drugs, also including nearly 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of crystal methamphetamine, in a hidden storage room aboard a ship, the source added, without giving details on where the shipment originated.

Capital punishment for civilian convicts in Egypt, the Arab world’s most populous country, is carried out by hanging. The ruling can be appealed within two months. Human rights groups have routinely slammed Egypt’s “significant spike” in recorded executions, which saw a more than threefold rise to 107 last year, from 32 in 2019.
Egypt carries out the world’s third highest number of executions, after China and Iran, according to Amnesty International.

AFP

Sign up to free weekly recap on North Africa and the Sahel

We send out a weekly newsletter every Friday, highlighting the most important events of the week. Sign up today, it is free.

Podcast: Development Without Aid: Power, Politics, and Local Resilience in the Global South✓

A conversation with Dr. Kate Schecter, President and CEO of World Neighbors, on how community-led development works in practice across the Global South.

The North Africa Journal's WhatsApp Group

Most Recent Stories from the Region

Morocco Detains Civic Activist Amid Online Speech Concerns$

Moroccan authorities have detained Mohammed Khalif,a Casablanca-based member of the youth movement GenZ212, following a home search and seizure of his computer. Charges have not yet been publicly disclosed. His arrest comes days after another GenZ212 member was prosecuted over alleged online incitement, raising questions about the legal climate surrounding youth activism and digital expression in Morocco.

Tunisia: Arrest of Opposition Figure Olfa Hamdi Raises Concerns$

A Tunisian civil liberties organization has called for transparency and the release of opposition party leader Olfa Hamdi following reports of her detention. With no formal statement issued by authorities several days after the alleged arrest, rights advocates say the silence raises concerns about due process and the state of political freedoms in Tunisia.

Tunisian Women’s Rights Group Warns Early Retirement Proposal Could Undermine Female Labor Participation$

A proposed law allowing women in Tunisia’s private sector to retire voluntarily at age 50 has drawn sharp criticism from a leading women’s rights organization. Advocates argue that the measure could undermine female labor participation, limit career advancement, and strain the country’s already fragile social security system.

Written by The North Africa Journal

The North Africa Journal is a leading English-language publication focused on North Africa. The Journal covers primarily the Maghreb region and expands its general coverage to the Sahel, Egypt, and beyond, when events in those regions affect the broader North Africa geography. The Journal does not have any affiliation with any institution and has been independent since its founding in 1996. Our position is to always bring our best analysis of events affecting the region, and remain as neutral as humanly possible. Our coverage is not limited to one single topic, but ranges from economic and political affairs, to security, defense, social and environmental issues. We rely on our full staff analysts and editors to bring you best-in-class analysis. We also work with sister company MEA Risk LLC, to leverage the presence on the ground of a solid network of contributors and experts. Information on MEA Risk can be found at www.MEA-Risk.com.