A photographer was arrested on Monday after taking part in a photo shoot with a dancer dressed in a pharaonic costume deemed disrespectful at the foot of the Sakkara pyramids east of Cairo, according to a security source.
"A photographer was arrested after a private photo shoot with dancer Salma al-Chimi in an archaeological area" on
Monday, the same source said.
He has since
"been referred to the prosecution,"
she added.
Read also: Egypt: Paris "deeply concerned" by the arrest of a human rights activist
At the end of last week, Salma al-Chimi, who presents herself as a model on her Instagram account with more than 20,000 subscribers, posted on her accounts on social networks, a series of photos featuring her in Pharaonic costume at the foot of the pyramid of Djoser, 4700 years old.
Quickly, rumors about his arrest were circulated in the media and on the Internet, referring in turn to his
"betrayal"
of ancient civilization because of his behavior considered irreverent or the non-compliance with the
"shooting conditions"
decreed by the Ministry of Antiquities.
The controversy was quick to invade social networks, fueled by incredulous and exasperated users.
“Are photos prohibited in archaeological areas? Especially since she didn't take indecent photos. These photos are completely normal. And then first, what are the accusations of the prosecution? "
, tweeted a user.
Monday evening, the photos which caused a sensation, taken up by many media, had been removed from the Instagram account of the young woman.
In recent months, a dozen young influencers have been sentenced to prison terms for content shared on the TikTok application deemed to be an offense against good morals.
In December 2018, the images of a naked and embracing couple, signed by a Danish photographer, at the top of the Great Pyramid of Cheops, and widely disseminated on social networks, had sparked an uproar in Egypt.
The authorities then arrested a camel driver and a young woman for facilitating access to the site for the couple behind these images.
