Egyptian model arrested for photoshoot at ancient pyramid

Cairo – Egyptian model Salma El-Shimy was arrested Monday during a photoshoot at Saqqara, an important archaeological site in the city of Giza. El-Shimy, 26, posed for a collection of photos in a dress inspired by ancient Egyptian clothing. The outfit was deemed “inappropriate” by officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

Supreme Antiquities Council General Secretary Mostafa Waziri referred the incident to prosecutors for investigation, the ministry confirmed in a statement. He quoted Waziri as a warning that “anyone who is negligent in matters of antiquities or our unique Egyptian civilization will be punished.”

Model Salma El-Shimy poses at the Saqqara archaeological site in Giza, Egypt, during a photoshoot with photographer Hossam Muhameed. Both were arrested and charged with photographing without a permit for the shoot, which sparked a huge backlash in Egypt.

Salma El-Shimy / / Hossam Muhameed

Two of the ministry’s employees and four security personnel working at the scene were also referred to prosecutors for administrative investigation, Sabry Farag, director of the Saqqara antiques site, told CBS News. Farag denied reports that the six people were also arrested.

Anyone wishing to take a photo or video shoot for commercial purposes at one of the Egyptian archaeological sites must obtain a permit from the ministry.

El-Shimy photographer Hossam Muhammed, 22, told a local newspaper that he and his subject had reached an “agreement” with site staff to take photos around the Pyramid of Djoser for around 15 minutes. The pyramid dates from the 27th century BC.

Muhammed was also arrested later Monday evening.

El-Shimy called herself Queen “Malban-titi” for the photoshoot, a name referring to the sweet Turkish delight, “Malban,” and Queen Nefertiti of ancient Egypt.

The photos went viral and reignited a heated debate about the difference between breaking social norms and breaking the law.

A lawyer filed a lawsuit, accusing El-Shimy of “distorting civilization and insulting the great Pharaonic history”. A member of the Egyptian parliament called on El-Shimy to face “the most severe punishments”.

In the Egyptian justice system, any individual can take legal action against anyone for any reason, but it is up to the public prosecutor to decide whether there is a valid case and then to bring legal action. formal accusations.

Hyperbole aside, the public prosecutor ordered the release of El-Shimy and his photographer Tuesday night on bail of LE 500 each (about $ 32), pending a full investigation. They face formal charges of photography without a license, according to local media, but no charges related to indecency or anything else stemming from the irregularity allegations.

Mohamed told the local press he was taken aback by the huge reaction, insisted he hadn’t done anything wrong and was just trying to make a living. He said he was paid 1000LE (around $ 65) for the shoot, and if he had known it would turn into such a scandal, he would have turned down the job.

He also said he believed that if the model involved had a different body type, none of this would have happened.

Despite outrage from some corners, other Egyptians have rallied to defend El-Shimy’s right to wear what she wants and have criticized the actions of the Tourism Ministry, suggesting that the prosecution will only bring bad publicity for Egypt.

Just two weeks ago, Saqqara was in the news for the historic archaeological discovery of around 100 sealed coffins containing mummified bodies.

(vitag.Init = window.vitag.Init || []).push(function () { viAPItag.display(“vi_1088641796”) })

These were the details of the news Egyptian model arrested for photoshoot at ancient pyramid for this day. We hope that we have succeeded by giving you the full details and information. To follow all our news, you can subscribe to the alerts system or to one of our different systems to provide you with all that is new.

It is also worth noting that the original news has been published and is available at fr24news and the editorial team at AlKhaleej Today has confirmed it and it has been modified, and it may have been completely transferred or quoted from it and you can read and follow this news from its main source.

PREV Three dead and dozens sick after eating sea turtle stew in Philippines
NEXT Using clues from online sexual assault video, Thai cops rescue 10-year-old victim from month-long captivity on boat