Lower House passes 2022 Penal Code amendments

AMMAN — The Lower House on Monday endorsed several amendments to the Penal Code and is scheduled to continue deliberating over the draft law on Tuesday, after endorsing 29 out of 40 items being discussed.

Lawmakers approved an imprisonment term of no less than a year and fine of no less than JD50 for any employee who receives a "benefit" from the department they belong to, whether directly or indirectly, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Anyone who counterfeits a banknote with the intention of fraud, changes it, circulates it, or takes it inside or outside the Kingdom while they know it is counterfeit, shall face a term of temporary hard labour for at least five years and a fine ranging between JD1,000  and JD5,000.

Under the amendments, those who own a counterfeit banknote with their knowledge shall face an imprisonment term of at least six months and a fine of no more than JD500.

Lawmakers increased the penalty for beating, injury and harm to at least one year if the perpetrator uses a weapon and the injury did not result in an illness (less than 20 days). The perpetrator shall face an imprisonment term of no more than one year and a fine of no more than JD100, or both penalties.

If the harm results in the cut of a limb, the stop of one of the senses, causes a huge distortion or any other disability, the perpetrator shall face temporary hard labour without a determined period.  

Those who attempt suicide in a public place shall face an imprisonment term of no longer than six months and a fine of no more than JD100 or both penalties.

The Lower House also stiffened the penalty for religious offences to an imprisonment term of no less than four months and no more than two years, with a fine of no more than JD500. 

The current penalty for religious offences is an imprisonment term of no more than three months and a fine of up to JD20.