Egyptian TV presenter Islam El-Beheiry was acquitted Wednesday of charges of blasphemy by a Giza misdemeanors court over a controversial show on Islam that he previously hosted on TV channel Al Kahera Wal Nas.
El-Beheiry received a five-year sentence in May, also on charges of blasphemy, in a case filed by lawyer Mohamed Abdel-Salam. The TV presenter appealed the verdict and was released on bail.
The channel cancelled the show, titled With Islam, in April.
Up to 48 complaints have been filed against El-Beheiry over his views.
In April, Egypt's highest Sunni authority of Al-Azhar also filed a complaint to Egypt’s General Authority for Investment and Free Zones requesting it to stop airing El-Beheiry's show.
Al-Azhar described the presenter as leading a “fierce” campaign against the foundations of Islam and Islamic heritage.
El-Beheiry's show tackled controversial issues such as punishments for apostasy, early marriage, and different interpretations of the Hadith, the sayings and teachings of Islam's Prophet Mohamed.
