Cairo: Complaints streamed into the office of Egypt’s top prosecutor Saturday against a popular television satirist, less than 24 hours after he returned to air following a military coup that ousted the country’s Islamist president.
Bassem Youssef, often compared to US comedian Jon Stewart, mocked the new pro-military fervor gripping Egypt in his programme that aired Friday night. He also took jabs at the country’s powerful military chief, Gen. Abdul Fattah Al Sissi, lionised in the Egyptian media as a hero.
By Saturday, at least four complaints had been filed with the country’s top prosecutor, accusing Youssef of defaming the military in his show, a judicial official said. One of the complaints accused Youssef of using phrases that “undermine the honour and dignity of Egypt and its people” in a manner sowing sedition and spreads lies.
The official said no investigation into the complaints had started yet. Such complaints, common under Egyptian law, are often shelved until prosecutors decide to start an investigation.
During Friday’s show, Youssef imitated the general’s soft-spoken, affectionate way of addressing the public, turning it into a lover’s romantic groove. In one skit, a woman named “the Public” calls into a love advice show raving about the love of her life who saved her from an abusive husband.
“He’s an officer as big as the world,” she coos adoringly, making a pun on a slogan Al Sissi uses in nearly every speech - “Egypt will be big enough to face down the world.” Then she adds, “He does have a sovereign streak.”
One complainant, well-known politician Ahmad Al Fadaly, referred to the skit of the adoring woman, accusing Youssef of portraying Egypt as a “dallying woman who betrays her husband with military men.”
Al Fadaly, who heads an association of young Muslims, also accused the satirist of belittling the armed forces’ efforts dealing with terrorism, and of misrepresenting the popular protests against Morsi as a coup.
In a copy of the complaint obtained by The Associated Press, Al Fadaly said the programme contained phrases that undermined “the honour and dignity of Egypt and Egyptians and can only be characterized as ... blatant libel and insult that should enjoy no legal protection.”
Youssef used satire to criticise Islamist President Mohammad Mursi, ousted by the military following popular protests in July. Mursi supporters also sued Youssef for insulting the presidency and Islam, leading to his brief detention.
Before returning to air after four months of absence, Youssef predicted that he will continue to be pursued legally by his new critics “who allegedly love freedom dearly - when it works in their favour,” he wrote in an article.
His late-night Friday show caused a stir in a sharply divided country. Since Mursi’s ouster, hundreds have been killed in crackdowns on protesters demanding Mursi’s reinstatement. Attacks by Islamic extremists against security forces and Christians have increased. A nationalist fervor gripping the country has elevated the military to an untouchable status, leaving little tolerance among the public or officials for criticism.
For now, Youssef appears to be basking in the limelight. After Friday’s show aired, Youssef took to Twitter to remind the public: “It is only an episode in a programme, people.”
