DHAKA: Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has approved stringent new counter-terrorism laws to fight a growing Islamist insurgency.

The laws establish special courts and offer additional protection from legal consequences for military and police officers who have used force.

They also impose the death penalty for anyone found guilty of setting up or leading a terrorist group.

Rights groups say the legislation will be used by Sisi to crush dissent, reports the BBC.

For the past two years, Egypt has been in the grip of an insurgency by Islamist groups that aim to topple Sisi’s government.

The Egyptian president vowed back in June to bring in tough new legislation, following the assassination by car bomb of a public prosecutor.

BDST: 1244 HRS, AUG 17, 2015
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