One of Egypt's most popular and internationally renowned comedians, Bassem Youssef, has announced the end of his political satirical show on Monday, citing pressure from the authorities.
Youssef didn't offer a detailed explanation for his decision but suggested outside pressure and a fear for his safety were factors, CNN News reported.
"To be honest, I'm tired," Youssef told a Cairo press conference Monday. He said cancelling the show was a preferable option to watering down his jokes, which often took aim at the power-holders of the day.
"I'm tired of struggling and worrying about my safety and that of my family," Youssef said.
With Time Magazine's 2013 list including Youssef as one of the world's most influential people, the satirist's hit show, attracted 30 million viewers during its time on air.
"Youssef's rise to fame and censure has highlighted the shifting boundaries of political expression since Egypt's 2011 uprising against President Hosni Mubarak," the Telegraph reported. "The former heart surgeon volunteered in makeshift medical centers during the uprising, before using the country's apparent new freedoms to poke fun at political leaders in low-budget skits uploaded to YouTube."
"His jokes have proved less funny to the authorities, and he has repeatedly been investigated by Egypt's public prosecution."
His show "El Barnameg" -- "The Program" in Arabic -- drew more than 5 million viewers in three months. A year later, he had gained worldwide recognition and was regularly compared to American political comedian Jon Stewart.
International rights groups and pro-democracy activists, who have increasingly accused Egyptian authorities of stifling dissent and freedom of speech, will most likely be concerned with the conclusion of Youssef's show.
"In a nutshell, we've gone as far as we can," Youssef said. "We are tired of moving from one network to another network and being under emotional pressure."
