Egyptian satirist interrogated for criticizing Mohammed Morsi
Bassem Youssef, who has been hailed as the nation's Jon Stewart, remains a vocal critic of the government
Topics: From the Wires, bassam youssef, Mohammed Morsi, Egypt, Satire, Freedom, Religion, Islam, Entertainment News, News
CAIRO (AP) — A popular television satirist known as Egypt’s Jon Stewart appeared Sunday before prosecutors for interrogation after an arrest warrant was issued against him for allegedly insulting Islam and the country’s leader.
Bassem Youssef is the most prominent critic of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi to be called in for questioning in recent weeks in what the opposition says is a campaign to intimidate critics. It followed warrants for five prominent anti-government activists accused of instigating violence.
Youssef, the host of the weekly show “ElBernameg” or “The Program,” is known for his skits lampooning Morsi and Egypt’s newly empowered Islamist political class, but also mocks the opposition and the media.
Several dozen supporters gathered outside the public prosecutor’s office as he presented himself for questioning, a day after the warrant was first reported in the media.
The media also intently followed the comedian’s interrogation. He first tweeted a series of quips from the prosecutor’s office. “They asked me the color of my eyes. Really,” one read.
A news broadcaster at a TV station affiliated with Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood group, Misr 25, said he was “mocking” the investigation, and his tweets later were erased and he wrote that some reports from inside the interrogation room were “incorrect.”
The fast-paced show has attracted a wide viewership, while at the same time earning itself its fair share of detractors. Youssef has been a frequent target of lawsuits, most of them brought by Islamist lawyers who have accused him of “corrupting morals” or violating “religious principles.”
Prosecutor Mohammed el-Sayed Khalifa was quoted on the website of the state-owned Al-Ahram daily that he has heard 28 plaintiffs accusing Youssef of insulting Islam, mocking prayers, and “belittling” Morsi in the eyes of the world and his own people.
Youssef frequently imitates Morsi’s speeches and gestures. He has fact-checked the president, and in one particularly popular episode earlier this year, Youssef played video clips showing remarks by Morsi, made in 2010 before he became president, where the Muslim Brotherhood veteran called Zionists “pigs”.
The remarks caused a brief diplomatic tiff with the U.S. administration, and Morsi had to issue a statement to defuse the flap.







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