Comedian ‘tortured’ in California prison ‘because he’s Arab and Muslim,’ attorney tells Arab News
CHICAGO: An attorney for Hollywood actor and comedian Ahmed Ahmed, 56 — who was seriously injured after being detained and beaten by police in California last year — told Arab News on Thursday that he was singled out and targeted “because he’s Arab and Muslim.”
The Egyptian American is best known for co-founding the Axis of Evil Comedy Tour, which began in November 2005.
Ahmed was returning from Thailand on Sept. 27, 2025, following a comedy tour of Asia when he was arrested as a United Airlines official fended off passenger complaints about long delays, missing connecting flights and incorrect information on temporary accommodation.
Attorney Nicholas C. Rowley, who filed a lawsuit on Monday against San Mateo County police, said: “There were no questions, no investigation, no review of the cameras and video at the airport to see if this guy did anything wrong.
