Egyptian satirist and television host Bassem Youssef is surrounded by his supporters upon his arrival at the public prosecutor's office in the high court in Cairo, on March 31, 2013. PHOTO: AFP
The wildly popular Youssef – whose weekly political satire programme al Bernameg (The Show) has spared few public figures of merciless critique – is currently on bail pending investigation into charges of insulting President Mohamed Morsi and Islam.
The new lawsuits accuse Youssef of "insulting the state of Pakistan and causing tensions in its relations with Egypt".
He is also accused of insulting religion and "spreading atheism."
In an episode after Morsi visited Pakistan in March, Youssef made fun of a hat worn by the president when he received an honorary doctorate from a university in Islamabad.
One lawsuit claimed that Youssef was attempting to "spread atheism" after he allegedly made fun of the prayer ritual which constitutes "questioning one of the five pillars of Islam."
Youssef confirmed he was being investigated again on his Twitter account.
Under Egypt's legal system, complaints are filed to the public prosecutor who decides whether there is enough evidence to refer the case to trial. Suspects can be detained during this stage of investigation.
COMMENTS (19)
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@PiS: i hope he doesn't write a book about how much of a struggle it is to deal with the constant assaults... of rapists. in the rehabilitation facility! I bet that's where he takes it
@Khan: "But The Real Question Is, What Will Happen If You Insult USA/Israel On Your TV Show?"
Jon Stewart does that daily and nothing has so far 'happened' to him. Not everyone is as sensitive as you are regarding nationality and religion.
Bassem Yousaf has my full support. Egypt's leaders should worry about the dire situation their country is in instead of going after harmless comedians.
@What: “insulting Pakistan” and “spreading atheism” Express Tribune does that too regularly
Kya yaar! Take a chill pill, bro!
I have never seen ET insulting Pakistan. Surely, ET provides a platform for people to raise voice against clowns in the country as well as social evils that ail the nation. And, ET does come across as promoting multiculture-ism and secularism. But then, you probably are from Pakistan, the land where the meaning of secularism has been twisted to mean atheism.
@Khan: The same thing that they always get. Mediocre ratings because they're unoriginal.
It's Easy to Insult Islam In These Days And Get Rewarded With 5 Minutes Fame. But The Real Question Is, What Will Happen If You Insult USA/Israel On Your TV Show?
Nations or religions don't get insulted by opinions or words of a host or a comedian. In Pakistan our religious leaders and politicians are successfully insulting our country and making us the laughing stock of the world.
@Junaid: Sir, not everyone is as insecure as you are!
and being a Pakistan, I have ABSOLUTELY no issues with Bassem Youssef. If Pakistani government is even remotely involved with this petition, they don't have the consent of the common citizens of Pakistan.
must be a RAW / mossad / CIA agent.
@Ibrar Khan: People like you dont diserve to have a country of there on coz any ara gara notho khara will come and insult my palistan that's not gona happen and who the heel are you even coment on behalf of Pakistanis bagaratstrong text
To all Bessam supporters in Pakistan: You may not care if Pakistan is insulted, but I do. And many Pakistanis do! If a nation is showing you respect then appreciate it! It seems you are too comfortable with not getting any respect that you now even support your insulter!
Who is Bassem Youssef ?
My dear bassem youseff: I felt absolutely outraged when an Egyptian cleric blamed rape victims and their dress for the crimes committed against them. I was never insulted by your remarks. Keep up the good work.
Being a Pakistani i don't have any issue with this comedian so let him free
Zakir Naik has the rights to own a channel and organize sessions on huge grounds to propagate Islam in a non-islamic country... But,an atheist cannot say aloud his feelings to others....
To all religious people,if you feel that a person spreading atheism is a threat to ur religion,maybe your beliefs are too weak
P.S. As usual,my thoughts will not be published by ET Mods.But I'm still trying
@Bassem Youssef ! hey man, be sure people of my birth place love you. One can safely predict that your leader was effected by Pakistan virus.
“insulting Pakistan” and “spreading atheism" Express Tribune does that too regularly
@ Bassam, you didnt insult Pakistan, and the hat did look pretty funny on Morsi.