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Egypt ruling party slams US 'interference' over satirist Egypt ruling party slams US 'interference' over satirist
(about 1 hour later)
Egypt's ruling Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) has accused the US of "interference" after it criticised legal action against a TV satirist.Egypt's ruling Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) has accused the US of "interference" after it criticised legal action against a TV satirist.
Bassem Youssef was questioned on Sunday over allegations that he insulted President Mohamed Morsi and Islam.Bassem Youssef was questioned on Sunday over allegations that he insulted President Mohamed Morsi and Islam.
On Monday the US State Department expressed "concern" over the case's implications for free speech in Egypt.On Monday the US State Department expressed "concern" over the case's implications for free speech in Egypt.
Meanwhile, Mr Youssef said that another investigation had been started against him for his most recent show.Meanwhile, Mr Youssef said that another investigation had been started against him for his most recent show.
"Accusations include spreading rumors and disturbing the 'Peace'," Mr Youssef said on Twitter."Accusations include spreading rumors and disturbing the 'Peace'," Mr Youssef said on Twitter.
"It seems they want to drain us physically, emotionally and financially," he added."It seems they want to drain us physically, emotionally and financially," he added.
In comments to reporters on Monday, US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the case, "coupled with recent arrest warrants issued for other political activists, is evidence of a disturbing trend of growing restrictions on the freedom of expression".In comments to reporters on Monday, US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the case, "coupled with recent arrest warrants issued for other political activists, is evidence of a disturbing trend of growing restrictions on the freedom of expression".
The FJP said in statement that Ms Nuland's comments constituted "blatant interference" and meant that the US "welcomes and defends contempt of religion by the media".The FJP said in statement that Ms Nuland's comments constituted "blatant interference" and meant that the US "welcomes and defends contempt of religion by the media".
While referring to "investigations of excessive antics by so-called satirist Bassem Youssef" the FJP went on to say it "reiterates and reaffirms its deep respect for freedom of opinion".While referring to "investigations of excessive antics by so-called satirist Bassem Youssef" the FJP went on to say it "reiterates and reaffirms its deep respect for freedom of opinion".
'Super Morsi''Super Morsi'
Mr Youssef has faced several complaints over his show El Bernameg (The Programme), which satirises many public figures.Mr Youssef has faced several complaints over his show El Bernameg (The Programme), which satirises many public figures.
In some sketches, he has portrayed Mr Morsi as a pharaoh, calling him "Super Morsi" for holding on to executive and legislative powers.In some sketches, he has portrayed Mr Morsi as a pharaoh, calling him "Super Morsi" for holding on to executive and legislative powers.
This sketch, among others, angered one Islamist lawyer, whose formal complaint resulted in the current investigation.This sketch, among others, angered one Islamist lawyer, whose formal complaint resulted in the current investigation.
As well as insulting Mr Morsi and Islam, Mr Youssef is also accused of "spreading false news with the aim of disrupting public order".As well as insulting Mr Morsi and Islam, Mr Youssef is also accused of "spreading false news with the aim of disrupting public order".
He was released on bail on Sunday, after questioning by prosecutors, and ordered to pay 15,000 Egyptian pounds ($2,190; £1,440).He was released on bail on Sunday, after questioning by prosecutors, and ordered to pay 15,000 Egyptian pounds ($2,190; £1,440).
At one point during his arrival at the prosecutor's office, Mr Youssef donned an oversized academic hat, mocking one which Mr Morsi wore recently when he received an honorary doctorate in Pakistan.At one point during his arrival at the prosecutor's office, Mr Youssef donned an oversized academic hat, mocking one which Mr Morsi wore recently when he received an honorary doctorate in Pakistan.
Licence warningLicence warning
Mr Youssef is a doctor who shot to fame with his witty lampooning of public figures in amateur videos posted on the internet following the uprising that ended Hosni Mubarak's rule in February 2011.Mr Youssef is a doctor who shot to fame with his witty lampooning of public figures in amateur videos posted on the internet following the uprising that ended Hosni Mubarak's rule in February 2011.
He became a household name when his satirical show - likened to Jon Stewart's The Daily Show in the US - began to be broadcast three times a week on CBC, one of Egypt's independent satellite stations.He became a household name when his satirical show - likened to Jon Stewart's The Daily Show in the US - began to be broadcast three times a week on CBC, one of Egypt's independent satellite stations.
Mr Stewart used the most recent edition of the Daily Show to express his support for Mr Youssef.Mr Stewart used the most recent edition of the Daily Show to express his support for Mr Youssef.
Egypt's Al-Watan newspaper reported on Monday that the state body responsible for awarding broadcasting licenses had threatened CBC with the withdrawal of its licence if it continued to broadcast El-Bernameg.Egypt's Al-Watan newspaper reported on Monday that the state body responsible for awarding broadcasting licenses had threatened CBC with the withdrawal of its licence if it continued to broadcast El-Bernameg.
However, the deputy head of the body Abd El-Moneim Al-Alfy told Al-Dustur newspaper said the channel had not been threatened with closure but had been warned "that one of the programmes on its screens had violated the terms of its licence". However, the deputy head of the body Abd El-Moneim Al-Alfy told Al-Dustur newspaper that the channel had not been threatened with closure but had been warned "that one of the programmes on its screens had violated the terms of its licence".