Egyptian Actress Ilham Shahin Files Complaint Against Former Zamalek President Mortada Mansour

Egyptian actress Ilham Shahin has filed a complaint with the Egyptian Supreme Council for Media Regulation against Mortada Mansour, former president of Zamalek football club, over comments made on his social media account. Shahin requested that the council inform the public prosecutor of the findings and take measures to suspend and block Mansour's Facebook account. The move escalates a public spat between the two, which began with Mansour's criticism of Shahin's appearance at a festival.

The dispute started when Mansour criticized several actresses, including Shahin, for their appearances at the ninth edition of the El Gouna Film Festival. Shahin responded during the 11th Sharm El-Sheikh International Festival for Youth Theater, where she served as honorary president. She expressed her concerns about citizens being filmed in the streets and having their videos published on social media, describing these platforms as "the biggest disaster in our lives."

Mansour responded to Shahin's comments, publishing a lengthy post on his Facebook page, highlighting his professional, parliamentary, and sports achievements. He directly addressed Shahin, stating that he was aware of several matters concerning her and threatening to reveal them at a press conference on November 5. Shahin chose not to engage directly with Mansour, instead publishing a poem that seemed to be a veiled response to his attacks.

After deleting his initial post, Mansour claimed that Facebook had removed it, not him. He later announced that he would no longer pursue the matter, citing intervention from mediators, but on the condition that Shahin refrain from discussing religious matters. The Supreme Council for Media Regulation referred Shahin's complaint to its complaints committee to take necessary actions according to the law.

The committee, headed by media personality Essam Amir, will investigate Mansour's comments and determine the next course of action. Shahin's complaint marks a new development in the public feud, with her seeking official intervention to address Mansour's online remarks. The council's actions will likely determine the future of the dispute.

Mansour's comments and Shahin's response have sparked a heated debate about freedom of expression and personal criticism on social media in Egypt. The case has drawn significant attention, with many following the developments and reactions from both parties. The Supreme Council for Media Regulation's decision will likely have implications for online discourse in the country.

The incident highlights the challenges of regulating online content and the limits of free speech in Egypt. As the council reviews Shahin's complaint, it will need to balance the right to free expression with the need to protect individuals from online harassment and defamation. The outcome will be closely watched by both the public and media professionals.

Key points

• Ilham Shahin files complaint with Egyptian media regulatory body against Mortada Mansour over online comments.
• The dispute between Shahin and Mansour began with criticism of Shahin's appearance at a festival.
• The Supreme Council for Media Regulation will investigate Mansour's comments and determine the next course of action.