The Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood is using its Twitter feed to lash out against President Obama, the U.S. embassy in Cairo, and American policy in general. At stake are criticisms leveled by U.S. officials in response to the arrest of Egyptian television satirist Bassem Youssef on charges of insulting Islam and insulting Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood-linked president Mohamed Morsi. The State Department earlier today described the arrest as part of a “disturbing trend” in which civil liberties are being eroded under Morsi’s rule.

Those erosions – which have occurred alongside the institutionalization of Islamic law – have cost Egypt badly needed financial assistance, and the country is now at risk of a complete economic collapse.

Another undiplomatic & unwise move by @usembassycairo, taking sides in an ongoing investigation & disregarding Egyptian law & culture — Ikhwanweb (@Ikhwanweb) April 2, 2013

#FJP: We strongly condemn @statedept statements, which means USG is welcoming & condoning defamation of religion by some in Egyptian media — Ikhwanweb (@Ikhwanweb) April 2, 2013

#FJP:We also reaffirm our respect to freedom of expression & criticizing those at the executive helm & Prez within boundaries of law & const — Ikhwanweb (@Ikhwanweb) April 2, 2013

#FJP: Defaming religion allegation is a serious offense, a violation of Egyptian law, culture & values, and a threat to societal peace — Ikhwanweb (@Ikhwanweb) April 2, 2013

#FJP: statements imply @drbassemyoussef is investigated for insulting prez, while main allegations r defaming & rediculing religion/rituals — Ikhwanweb (@Ikhwanweb) April 2, 2013

#FJP criticizes USG statements on @drbassemyoussef onging investigations, calling it flagrant meddling in #Egypt‘ domestic affairs — Ikhwanweb (@Ikhwanweb) April 2, 2013

The Muslim Brotherhood’s Facebook page, meanwhile, blasted State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland for “unreserved audacity.”

[Photo: Gigi Ibrahim / Flickr]