et guide: When could firecrackers possession lead to death sentence or life sentence?

CAIRO - 13 May 2026: Egyptian law punishes possession of firecrackers and small rockets with death or life sentence in certain cases. 

 

Penal Code No. 58 of 1937 specifies the penalties for possessing and selling fireworks, firecrackers, and rockets.

 

Article 102 (a) stipulates that anyone who acquires, possesses, imports, or manufactures explosives, explosive materials, or similar substances without obtaining a license shall be punished with life imprisonment. The penalty shall be a death sentence if the crime is committed for a terrorist purpose.

 

 

Importing or possessing such items is a crime

 

Anyone who acquires, possesses, imports, or manufactures, without justification, devices, machines, or tools used in the manufacture or detonation of explosives or explosive materials, or similar substances, shall be punished with life imprisonment or a long prison term.

 

Any substance that is a component of explosives or explosive materials shall be considered an explosive or explosive substance, as defined by a decision of the Minister of the Interior.

 

Anyone who is aware of the commission of any of the crimes mentioned in the first and second paragraphs of this article and fails to report it to the competent authorities before its discovery shall be punished with imprisonment.

 

In addition to the penalties stipulated in the first and second paragraphs of this article, the court shall order the confiscation of the crime scene, the land, buildings, and facilities used in the crime, the means of transport used in its commission, and the tools and objects used in its commission, all without prejudice to the rights of bona fide third parties.

 

Moreover, Article 102 (b) stipulates that anyone who uses explosives with the intent to commit the crime stipulated in Article 87, or with the intent to commit political assassination, or to sabotage buildings and facilities designated for public interests, public benefit institutions, public gatherings, or other buildings or places frequented by the public, shall be punished by death.

 

Article 102 (c) stipulates that anyone who uses or attempts to use explosives in a manner that endangers human life shall be punished by life imprisonment. If the explosion results in the death of one or more persons, the punishment shall be death. Article 102 (d) states that anyone who uses or attempts to use explosives in a manner that endangers the property of others shall be punished by rigorous imprisonment. If the explosion causes damage to such property, the punishment shall be life imprisonment.

 

 

Firecrackers

 

Firecrackers are generally known as "bumb" in many Arabic-speaking regions. They are commonly used during Eid (Feasts) by children to celebrate and express joy, producing loud noises and colorful sparks, similar to celebrations in other regions.