London: A popular Egyptian political satirist has been accused of insulting the country’s President Mohamed Mursi.
A formal complaint was brought against Bassem Youssef for ‘undermining the standing’ of Mursi in his television show.
Separately, an independent newspaper said it has been accused by the presidency of "circulating false news" and is being investigated, the BBC reports.
Bassem Youssef is a doctor who shot to fame after winning a huge number of followers with his witty lampooning of public figures in amateur videos posted on the internet following the uprising that ended Hosni Mubarak`s rule.
He became a household name when his satirical programme began to be broadcast three times a week on one of Egypt`s independent satellite stations.
Youssef has poked fun at everyone from fellow television presenters to well-known Muslim scholars and most recently Mursi himself, the report said.
He portrayed Mursi as a pharaoh, calling him "Super Mursi" for holding on to executive and legislative powers.
Separately, putting Mursi’s image on a pillow and parodying his speeches have angered one Islamist lawyer, whose formal complaint has resulted in the investigation, the report said.
(ANI)
