The House of Representatives is still engaged in discussing the new Old Rent Law draft, prepared by the government in implementation of the Supreme Constitutional Court’s ruling. The aim is to amend the old rent law, increase rents, and correct the shortcomings and distortions the law has witnessed over the past years. Despite this clear approach to guarantee the rights of all parties and achieve a fair balance, suspicious attempts have emerged to spread false rumors aimed at undermining trust in the state and harming national security by falsely claiming that the government is biased toward one party at the expense of another.

In light of these developments, security and judicial authorities confirm that spreading false and misleading rumors that cause panic, disturb public order, or harm the public interest is a crime punishable by law with severity. Article 188 of the Penal Code stipulates a penalty of imprisonment for up to one year and a fine ranging from five thousand to twenty thousand Egyptian pounds, or one of these penalties, for anyone who publishes false news, statements, or rumors with the intent to harm public security.
Additionally, Article 80(d) includes harsher penalties for those who intentionally broadcast such rumors or false news abroad if it negatively affects the country’s financial trust, prestige, or national interests. The punishment includes imprisonment from six months to five years, along with a fine that may reach 500 Egyptian pounds.

The concerned authorities affirm that these legal measures are designed to protect society from any attempts to destabilize its security and stability, and that they will deal firmly with any party trying to exploit the circumstances to spread chaos or mislead public opinion, in order to preserve the unity of the state and its supreme interests.