Twenty executives from the Egyptian cement industry were fined $1.87 million each after being found guilty of price fixing. Each of their respective companies will be fined an additional $1.87 million. According to the Daily News Egypt, this trial was the first of its kind, as the country’s anti-monopoly laws went into effect just three years ago.

The gritty truth? The accused should be thankful that their scheme was uncovered when it was. New legislation that was enacted after their trial took place sets the minimum fine for “monopolistic business practices” at 10 times what they paid, or nearly $19 million.

While none of the 20 executives appeared in court, all plan on appealing the decision. “We have full confidence in the Egyptian legal system, and the appeal will prove that we are innocent and that there is no case,” Omar Mohanna, chairman of Suez Cement and one of the executives facing fines, was quoted as saying by the Daily News Egypt.