EGYPT: Egypt's best-known satirist, Bassam Youssef, turns himself in to the authorities after the prosecutor-general ordered his arrest for making fun of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi and his Muslim Brotherhood

Record ID: 862619

  • Title: EGYPT: Egypt's best-known satirist, Bassam Youssef, turns himself in to the authorities after the prosecutor-general ordered his arrest for making fun of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi and his Muslim Brotherhood
  • Date: 31st March 2013
  • Summary: CLOSE OF NEWSPAPER WITH HEADLINE ABOUT YOUSSEF CASE AND PICTURE OF EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT MOHAMED MURSI NEXT TO A PICTURE OF YOUSSEF SATIRISING HIM
  • Embargoed: 15th April 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Egypt
  • City:
  • Country: Egypt
  • Topics: Entertainment,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAAHA7L9R8CH3B5XTXR10CXV6BV
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  • Story Text: Egypt's best-known satirist turned himself in to the authorities on Sunday (March 31) after the prosecutor-general ordered his arrest for insulting President Mohamed Mursi.
    The arrest warrant for Bassam Youssef was ordered on Saturday (March 30) after the satirist had made fun of Islamist President Mursi and his Muslim Brotherhood.
    Youssef hosts a weekly programme, El-Bernameg (The Show), broadcast at prime time on Fridays on a private satellite channel. He is noted for his imitations of the president's speech and gestures.
    The satirist later tweeted on Saturday confirming the news and said he would go on his own to the prosecutor's office on Sunday. "But they are welcome to send me a car and save me the trip if they like," Youssef wrote in the same tweet.
    On Sunday morning Youssef had to make his way through a mass of cameramen and photographers when he arrived at Egypt's High Court.
    The National Salvation Front criticised the decision to arrest Youssef.
    "This is just an addition to all of the failed and repressive attempts that the ruling regime is carrying out, and they will fail the same way other attempts have failed previously," said National Salvation Front member Hoda Zaki. "And all of these attempts contribute to the people's rejection and opposition to the ruling regime."
    Cairo resident, Ezzat, added: "Honestly, the arrest of journalists is something that should not be taking place after the revolution. After the revolution has taken place, this should not happen.
    "An international conference should be held so an understanding can be reached on this issue so that there won't be any confusion, and there will be order. It's not okay to insult someone.
    "But he (Youssef) didn't do that. He went a bit overboard, and he should tone it down a bit. But he is someone who is well-liked, and he has a specific style, a critical style, but it's a bit much."
    A week ago the authorities ordered the arrest of several opposition activists accused of inciting violence against Mursi and the ruling Muslim Brotherhood.
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