A popular Egyptian singer has been banned from performing and could face a jail sentence after claiming that her country does not respect freedom of speech.

Sherine Abdel Wahab, who is also a judge on the Arabic version of The Voice, was giving a concert in Bahrain when she remarked: "Here I can say whatever I want. In Egypt, anyone who talks gets imprisoned."

After a video clip of her comments circulated online, Egypt's Musicians Union moved to silence the singer, popularly known as Sherine, by barring her from the stage in the country. It has also summoned her for questioning on Wednesday.

Sherine could also face jail after being reported to prosecutors by a pro-government lawyer with a reputation for moral vigilantism and suing celebrities. Samir Sabry filed a complaint accusing the singer of "insulting Egypt and inviting suspicious rights groups to interfere in Egypt's affairs".

The singer found herself at the centre of a similar controversy last year over a clip from a concert in which she quipped that the Nile is polluted. Sherine apologised for the remark, calling it a "bad joke", but was nevertheless handed a six month prison sentence - later suspended on appeal.

Amid the furore over her comments in Bahrain, Sherine again apologised for what she said was a joke.