Crime in Egypt

Crime in Egypt has a low rate^[1] and is present in various forms. Forms of crime include drug trafficking, money laundering, fraud, corruption, black marketeering etc.

Petty crime

During the 1980s, Petty crime was a significant problem in the country.^[2] Theft and pickpocketing were widespread in the capital city Cairo.^[2] Motor vehicle theft, crime by women and juveniles and incidents of kidnappings were increased in Cairo in 1988.^[2] In an interview in 1989, the director of security for Cairo described poor economic conditions, high unemployment, population growth, and changes in social norms as the reasons behind higher crime rates.^[2] Bank robberies, gang violence, and other violent crime were less common.^[2] White-collar crime, smuggling, black marketeering, and other economic crimes like embezzlement, tax evasion, kickbacks and bribery increased when Anwar El Sadat and Hosni Mubarak were the President of Egypt.^[2]

Corruption

Sadat established commissions for investigation of corruption among government officials.^[2] Mubarak replaced many cabinet members for inability in detecting corruption.^[2] Despite such measures, economic crimes continued to be widespread.^[2]

Organized crime

Egypt serves as a transit country for women trafficked from Eastern Europe to Israel for commercial sexual exploitation.^[3] Men and women from countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia are believed to be trafficked through the Sinai Desert to Israel and Europe for labor.^[3] Many Egyptian children from rural areas are trafficked to other areas in Egypt as domestic servants or laborers in the agriculture industry.^[3]

Drug trafficking is a problem. Egypt is a country for cannabis, heroin and opium destined for Europe, Israel, and North Africa.^[3]

Islamic terrorism and religious violence

Main article: Terrorism in Egypt

Egypt suffers from religious violence and Islamic terrorism, in frequent attacks both on tourist and on religious minorities. Notable examples include the Luxor massacre (1997), the 2004 Sinai bombings, 2005 attacks in Cairo and in Sharm el-Sheikh, the 2006 Dahab bombings and the 2011 Alexandria bombing.

References

1. ^ "Consular Information Sheet: Egypt". http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1108.html.  Bureau of Consular Affairs
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i} Incidence of Crime Federal Research Division, Library of Congress
3. ^ ^{a b c d} "CIA World Factbook - Egypt". CIA World Factbook. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/eg.html.