Egypt detains pro-government TV host over police segment

CAIRO – Egyptian authorities have detained a staunchly pro-government talk show host over allegations he insulted police and disseminated false news on his state television program.

In a statement carried on state news agency MENA late Saturday, Cairo prosecutors ordered Khairi Ramadan detained for 24 hours pending an investigation by national security officers into claims a segment was damaging to police.

In the segment, Ramadan said the wife of an unnamed police colonel he interviewed off camera complained to him about her husband’s low salary and said she considered working as a housekeeper to supplement their income.

Egyptian authorities have intensified their crackdown on local and foreign media ahead of a presidential election this month, which President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi is set to win after all competitors except a little-known supporter were eliminated.