Egyptian government: Insulting flag is a crime

CAIRO, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- Refusing to stand for the national anthem or insulting the country's flag is now an offense punishable by jail time and/or a stiff fine in Egypt.

"Ridiculing the Egyptian flag and not standing in respect when the national anthem is played in public is a crime punishable by the maximum of six months imprisonment and/or $5,000 pounds [$725] fine," the draft law approved by interim President Adli Mansour's Cabinet Wednesday said.

Ahram Online reported the move comes amid reports of administrators at some Muslim Brotherhood schools not playing the national anthem, opting instead for songs associated with the Brotherhood.

The site noted teachers affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood have accused Egypt's military rulers of playing pro-army tunes in a number of schools.

The report noted since the July 3 ouster of Mohamed Morsi as Egypt's first democratically elected president, tensions between military supporters and opponents has spread to the country's schools and universities.