The August 20 issue of the Egyptian opposition paper Al-Badil has been banned from distribution in Egypt because of a cartoon that angered close associates of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
The issue also include harsh accusations against the regime and hints that the fire that broke out in the Shura Council building was started deliberately in order to destroy evidence of various instances of corruption.
The paper's online version was not interfered with.
Following is the offending cartoon:
Right to left: 1) "The president stepped down..." "You're dreaming!" 2) "Also, there's no handing down of the regime as inheritance"; "And what about the NDP and the political committee?" 3) "There's no doubt that YOU are the one who's dreaming. I'm talking about the Pakistani president..." "!!!!"
Source: Middleeasttransparent.com, August 21, 2008; Al-Badil, Egypt, August 20, 2008
