Egyptian Film Star Sentenced to Jail for Insulting Islam

One of the biggest film stars of Egypt has been sentenced to prison for “insulting” Islam.

Adel Imam, 72, who has had a 40-year career primarily as a comedic actor, was hit with a three-month sentence for having allegedly mocked political authorities and Islamic symbols in various films and plays.

Imam has one month to appeal to ruling and will remain free until the appeal process closes. He was also fined 1,000 Egyptian pounds (about $166).

The case against Imam was brought by an attorney named Asran Mansour who is affiliated with Islamist political groups.

Reportedly, Mansour was incensed by two of Imam’s performances: ‘Morgan Ahmed Morgan,’ a film about a wealthy businessman who runs for parliament; and a play called Al-Zaeem (The Leader).

Islamists have dramatically raised their profile in Egypt following victories in the recent parliamentary elections, one year after the toppling of former president Hosni Mubarak.

I think the lawyer who filed the case against Imam is taking advantage of the current circumstances with Islamists gaining power in Egypt, said Nabil Abdel Fattah, an analyst and researcher at al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies in Cairo, according to Reuters.