By Viola Fahmy

CAIRO

Egypt's parliament on Monday approved a legislative amendment to toughen the punishment for children abduction.

As per amended penal code, the death sentence or life imprisonment (25 years) would be awarded if the child is subjected to sexual abuse after being abducted, the parliament said in a statement.

The amendment also stated at least 10 years jail term would be handed down in child abduction cases, while the punishment for ransom-related kidnappings has been raised to 15-20 years.

Over the past years, Egypt has seen an increase in abduction cases, according to local media reports.