Satirical Egyptian cartoonist arrested: Press union

Egyptian authorities arrested cartoonist Ashraf Omar at his Cairo home early Monday after he drew several satirical images, according to AFP citing the publication he works for- Al Manassa- and Egypt's press union. Omar's wife, not present during the raid, said security video showed men leading a blindfolded Omar into a vehicle at night, according to Al Manassa.

This is the second arrest this month; journalist Khaled Mamdouh was detained July 16 and later presented to state security prosecutors. Press union chief Khaled al-Balshy highlighted that over 23 journalists are currently imprisoned in Egypt and called for their release

The union condemned Omar's arrest, demanding his immediate release. Omar's recent cartoons lampooned Egypt's electricity crisis, debt driven economic policies, and state asset sales to Gulf investors. Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders ranks Egypt 170th out of 180 in its World Press Freedom Index. Amid international criticism, Egypt has pardoned hundreds of political prisoners over the last two years. However, rights groups say more than three times as many have been arrested over the same time period.