Parliament Approves Shorter Pretrial Detention for Criminal Cases

The Egyptian parliament has approved amendments to the Criminal Procedure Law, introducing significant changes to pretrial detention limits for criminal cases. The new legislation reduces the maximum duration of pretrial detention for misdemeanours and felonies, while enhancing judicial oversight to prevent unjustified extensions.

Under the amendments, pretrial detention cannot exceed one-third of the maximum sentence for the crime in question, starting from the investigation phase. For misdemeanours, the maximum detention period has been shortened from six months to four months, while for felonies, it has been reduced from 18 months to 12 months. In cases involving life imprisonment or the death penalty, the pretrial detention period is now capped at 18 months, down from two years.

The amendments also require strict court orders to extend pretrial detention, ensuring adherence to procedural deadlines. Any failure to meet these deadlines will result in the immediate release of the accused or the termination of restrictive measures.

Additional measures regulate the monitoring of communications and social media accounts, requiring judicial orders issued in accordance with constitutional and legal provisions.