Egypt orders detention of stand-up comedian over mocking state-owned religious radio station
Ashraf’s arrest comes despite an apology where he said that he did not intend to ridicule the radio station
Egypt’s general prosecutor ordered the detention of a stand-up comedian over “mocking the state-owned Al-Quran Al-Kareem radio station” at one of his shows.
Mohamed Ashraf, a young stand-up comedian, was arrested on Thursday weeks after the video of the performance - that dates back originally to January - went viral and sparked criticism.
According to media reports, Ashraf is facing multiple charges, which mainly include contempt of religion, threatening the values of Egyptian families and the insulting and defamation of the radio station’s presenters, said Ashraf's lawyer.
During his two-minute stand-up comedy performance at 'The Glocal Show' event Ashraf tells jokes about the popular radio station’s broadcasters' elocution. He mocks their techniques, describing their way as “peculiar”.
The video sparked a wave of outrage in the Islamic-based country, urging authorities to question Ashraf over his performance.
The country’s National Media Authority said in an earlier statement that it will seek legal measures against Ashraf, stressing “zero tolerance until he is handed the punishment that he deserves over mocking leading media figures that have presented meaningful and distinct religious shows".
Ashraf’s arrest comes despite an apology where he said that he did not intend to ridicule the radio station.
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