BREAKING NEWS

Egypt: Those who insult president no longer face jail

By REUTERS

AUGUST 5, 2013 20:33

CAIRO - A decree issued by Egypt's interim head of state on Monday means people no longer face jail for insulting the president, after a surge in such cases under deposed leader Mohamed Morsi including that of a popular comedian dubbed "Egypt's Jon Stewart."

The legal change by interim President Adli Mansour was welcomed by activists who had voiced concern over the high number of investigations during the one-year rule of ousted Islamist Morsi, who was toppled on July 3.

But Human Rights Watch Egypt said the decree did not go far enough, arguing that insulting the president "should not be an offense in the first place."

Several Egyptians were investigated for insulting Morsi during his brief term in office, fueling fears that the Muslim Brotherhood politician was trying to crush freedoms won in the 2011 uprising that ousted veteran autocrat Hosni Mubarak.

The most high profile case was that of Bassem Youssef, a popular comedian likened to US satirist Stewart, who regularly poked fun at Morsi.

Chances of reaching a deal before Trump's inauguration are slim

By AMICHAI STEIN , WALLA!

12/26/2024 08:56 PM

Iran's Pezeshkian to visit Moscow Jan 17, RIA reports, citing Iranian envoy to Russia

By REUTERS

12/26/2024 08:38 PM

Two Jewish Brits nominated to be Labour peers in House of Lords

By MICHAEL STARR

12/26/2024 06:24 PM

Police investigating antisemitic graffiti in Chambersburg

By MICHAEL STARR