Egypt's ministry of foreign affairs has said that freedom of expression is entitled to everyone, in response to accusations rendered by the American administration that the Egyptian authorities "stifle" these freedoms.

In a statement issued by the foreign affairs ministry, it stressed, "Freedom of expression is one of the most important gains of the January uprising," reported the Middle East News Agency.

Spokesperson of the U.S. State Department, Victoria Nuland, had criticized Egypt for prosecuting prominent political satirist Bassem Youssef on charges of insulting Islamist President Mohamed Mursi and defaming the religion of Islam. 

Nuland had said that the Egyptian authorities stifle freedom of expression, pointing that the government "selectively prosecutes those who attack the authorities and ignores the attacks on anti-government protesters."

For its part, the presidency confirmed through its Facebook page that it is not responsible for the charges pressed against Youssef and that it did not take any legal actions against him or any other person.

"The prosecution works independently, without any interference from the presidency," said the foreign ministry' statement.