Egyptian court dismisses lawsuit to ban comedy show

CAIRO -- A Cairo court on Saturday dismissed a lawsuit filed by an Islamist lawyer demanding an Egyptian satirist's TV show be banned for allegedly insulting the president and containing excessive sexual innuendo.

Judge Hassouna Tawfiq said the court dropped the complaint against Bassem Youssef's "ElBernameg," or "The Program," because the plaintiff did not have an interest in the case. Youssef faces other investigations related to the show but the ruling may set a precedent.

The comedian has been in the spotlight since Egyptian authorities brought him in for questioning last week in a separate case about the same accusations, a move that prompted criticism from as far away as Washington. On his Jon Stewart-inspired show, Youssef satirizes everything from President Mohammed Morsi's policies to his mannerisms, as well as hard line Islamic clerics.

File -- In this Sunday, March 31, 2013 file photo, Egyptian television satirist Bassem Youssef -- known as Egypt's Jon Stewart --waves to his supporters as he enters Egypt's state prosecutors office to face charges for allegedly insulting Islam and the country's leader, in Cairo, Egypt. A Cairo court turned down on Saturday, April 5, 2013, a separate suit filed by a Muslim Brotherhood lawyer demanding that a popular Egyptian satirist's TV show be banned for allegedly insulting the president and excessive sexual innuendo. There have been multiple complaints filed in courts and to state prosecutors by Islamist lawyers against Youssef and other public figures for their political or religious opinions. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil, File)

His criticism of Morsi and the president's backers in the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's most organized political force, has angered some within the Islamist fundamentalist group.

The president's office earlier said it was not involved in the legal action against Youssef, and it recognizes the "importance of freedom of expression."

A chief Brotherhood lawyer said Abul-Enein's suit was filed independent of the group.

In his written opinion, the judge explained "it is clear from the statement released by the president's office ... that the presidency is not going to file a complaint against media personality Bassem Youssef or anyone else out of respect for freedom of expression."

"It is the right of citizens to express themselves freely far from restrictions and the presidency urges respect for the law," the judge added.

Plaintiff Mahmoud Abul-Enein, a Brotherhood lawyer, filed the suit demanding the suspension of the license of the private satellite TV channel, the Capital Broadcasting Center, which airs Youssef's show. He claimed the comedian's program "corrupted morals" and violated "religious principles.

Islamist lawyers have filed multiple legal complaints against Youssef and other public figures for their political or religious opinions. Opposition groups and activists say such lawsuits against public figures are part of a wider campaign to intimidate critics in deeply polarized Egypt.