An Egyptian military court on Tuesday handed 30 undocumented immigrants one-year suspended sentences for trying to sneak into Israel to find work. The court also fined each LE500, as well as mandated they be deported back to their home countries and their embassies be notified. Prosecutors also sentenced two Egyptian smugglers to one year in prison and fined each LE500 for helping the undocumented migrants, most of whom are from sub-Saharan Africa, to illegally enter Israel. According to the latest figures released by the Israeli Population and Migration Authority, a record-breaking 2000 refugees and labor migrants entered Israel through the Egyptian border in August. Egyptian authorities have complained about attempts to infiltrate into Israel via their common border with the help of Bedouin smugglers. Israel says around 10,000 undocumented immigrants have snuck into the country through the Egypt-Israel border over the past few years. International rights organizations have accused Egyptian security forces of using excessive force to prevent the migrants from infiltrating into Israel. Egypt, however, has stood by its decision to shoot foreign infiltrators, considering the ability part of the country's right to protect its national security. Translated from the Arabic Edition
