Satirist questioned over Morsi ‘insult’
1 April 2013 6:33 AM IST
Prosecutors in Egypt were questioning popular satirist Bassem Youssef on Sunday over alleged insults to the president and to religion, reigniting calls for freedom of expression in post-revolt Egypt.
Youssef, whose weekly programme Albernameg (The Show) has pushed the boundaries of local television with its merciless critique of those in power, continued to challenge the authorities even as he arrived at the prosecutor’s office.
He made his way through a throng of cameras and supporters, wearing an enormous version of a hat worn by President Mohamed Morsi earlier this month when he received an honorary doctorate from a university in Pakistan. Youssef had worn the hat on his show a week earlier.
The heart surgeon turned comedian took to Twitter during his questioning, at one point saying: ‘The officers and the prosecution lawyers want to have their photo taken with me. Maybe that's the reason for my summons?’
The public prosecutor on Saturday issued an arrest warrant for Youssef, who has more than 1.2 million Twitter followers, following several legal complaints against him relating to the material used on the show.
He is accused of offending Islam through ‘making fun of the prayer ritual’ and of insulting Morsi by ‘making fun of his international standing.’
Youssef, whose weekly programme Albernameg (The Show) has pushed the boundaries of local television with its merciless critique of those in power, continued to challenge the authorities even as he arrived at the prosecutor’s office.
He made his way through a throng of cameras and supporters, wearing an enormous version of a hat worn by President Mohamed Morsi earlier this month when he received an honorary doctorate from a university in Pakistan. Youssef had worn the hat on his show a week earlier.
The heart surgeon turned comedian took to Twitter during his questioning, at one point saying: ‘The officers and the prosecution lawyers want to have their photo taken with me. Maybe that's the reason for my summons?’
The public prosecutor on Saturday issued an arrest warrant for Youssef, who has more than 1.2 million Twitter followers, following several legal complaints against him relating to the material used on the show.
He is accused of offending Islam through ‘making fun of the prayer ritual’ and of insulting Morsi by ‘making fun of his international standing.’
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