Egypt orders arrest of TV satirist
Known for his imitations of Egyptian president, Bassam Youssef arrested for insulting Morsi, Muslim Brotherhood
Egypt's prosecutor-general on Saturday ordered the arrest of the country's best-known satirist, Bassam Youssef, for making fun of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood.
Youssef hosts a weekly program, 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.
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"Prosecutor-general Talaat Ibrahim ordered the arrest of Bassem Youssef on the accusation of insulting President Morsi," state radio reported. Egypt's news agency MENA said that Youssef was also accused of insulting Islam.
Youssef later tweeted 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.
A week ago the authorities ordered the arrest of several opposition activists accused of inciting violence against Morsi and the ruling Muslim Brotherhood.
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