Shura seeks harsher penalties for phone thieves
The Shura Council will discuss the matter of imposing harsher penalties for thieves who steal smartphones, laptops, or tablets, following a previous delay in addressing the issue.
The Foreign Affairs, Defence, and National Security Committee of the Shura Council had earlier backed amendments that could lead to prison sentences of up to two years for those who commit these crimes involving personal data.
The committee has supported changes to the Penal Code that would treat the theft of mobile devices containing personal or financial information more seriously.
The proposed law, linked to Decree No. (7) of 2024, seeks to amend the Penal Code first established under Decree-Law No. (15) of 1976.
Under the proposed regulations, stealing a phone, tablet, or laptop would be classified as aggravated theft, carrying a minimum sentence of three months in prison.
Minimum sentence
If the thief intends to access sensitive data, such as banking records or private photos, the minimum sentence would increase to one year.
Additionally, the law would encompass individuals who keep lost or wrongly delivered electronic devices.
Depending on the severity of the crime and whether personal data is misused, offenders could face up to two years in prison, a fine of BD500, or both.
The Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs, and Waqf, and the Ministry of Interior have all expressed their support for the proposed amendments.
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