Okasha to face charges of inciting violence against Morsi

Tawfiq Okasha, a conservative television presenter on Egypt's Faraeen satellite channel, was referred to a criminal court on Monday, where he will face charges of inciting violence against Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi during a recent episode of his 'Egypt Today' talk show. After questioning Okasha, head prosecutor Mahdi Shoeib requested a copy of the CD containing the episode in question from Egypt's State Radio and Television  – which lawyers had presented earlier as evidence against Okasha – to determine whether its contents had been deleted or changed. Prosecutors are also expected to obtain Okasha's voice print, which they plan to test against the voice on the CD. A number of lawyers and revolutionary figures have recently filed complaints against Okasha in which they accused the talk show host of inciting violent acts against the president. Plaintiffs have also accused Okasha of inciting the public to stage mass demonstrations against Egypt's presidency on 24 August. On 10 August, Egyptian state authorities ordered Okasha's Faraeen satellite channel to cease transmission for at least one month. (ahram)