Vodafone Egypt questioned over 'Muslim Brotherhood bomb plot' in puppet advert

Vodafone Egypt has been questioned by officials over accusations that an advert with dancing puppets carried secret codes to the Muslim Brotherhood about an impending bomb plot

By Louisa Loveluck, Cairo

11:19AM GMT 02 Jan 2014

Egypt's prosecutors have questioned officials from the country's largest telecoms provider over accusations that a recent advertisement used puppets to convey a secret message to the Muslim Brotherhood.

The accusations against Vodafone Egypt come a week after the country's military-backed government formally designated the Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation, following an attack on a police headquarters that left 16 people dead.

The advert features a mother and daughter puppet duo, named Abla Fahita and Karkoura, as they search for the sim card of a deceased relative. As Fahita chats away on her mobile, a radio anchor explains how to make "stuffed turkey" for Christmas.

According to the instigator of the lawsuit - a self-styled youth activist known as "Ahmed Spider" - both props and script are laden with references to a forthcoming bomb plot by the Brotherhood. A staunch supporter of ousted president Mubarak, "Spider" has previously accused revolutionary activists of being members of a secret masonic cult.

The accusations come at a time of deep polarisation in Egypt, where state and private media outlets have led a witch hunt against members of the Brotherhood. On Boxing Day, citizens were encouraged to phone state security hotlines if they suspect their neighbours to be members of the movement.

 On Wednesday night, Egyptian television channel CBC attempted to decode the "real" meaning of the puppets' actions. Talking heads were particularly incensed at the appearance of a four pronged cactus bedecked with baubles.
They said it represented the four fingered salute that has come to signify support for ousted president Mohamed Morsi.
Vodafone Egypt have denied that its puppets are in fact vessels of subversion.
"The advertisement carries no other meaning any interpretation other than that is mere imagination or personal opinion of some of the audience," it said in a statement.
This is not the first time the mobile operator has fallen foul of creative interpretation.

In 2011, Egyptian composer Amr Moustafa alleged that the company's slogan, "the power is in your hands" was an exhortation to protest against Mubarak.