Egypt Detains Model, Photographer For Posing 'Indecently' In Front Of Pyramid

Egyptian authorities have detained a model for posing "inappropriately and indecently" in Pharaonic outfits in front of the Step Pyramid at Giza south of Cairo.

Photographer Houssam Mohammed and Salma al-Shimi were arrested Monday and referred to the prosecution after the shoot, which enraged archaeologists and authorities in Cairo. Both have since been released on bail.

Shimi, who boasts thousands of followers on Instagram, had posted photographs last week at the foot of the 4,700-year-old Step Pyramid of Djoser. The photos have now been removed from her social media account.

According to the Guardian, rumors spread that she had been detained for wearing outfits that betrayed Egypt’s ancient heritage and broke the rules set by the antiquities ministry for photoshoots.

The pair was accused of "taking photos without authorization in the Saqqara archaeological site" and released on bail of 500 Egyptian pounds ($32) each pending the results of an investigation, said a report by The New Arab.

Six employees in the area will also be questioned over illegally facilitating the controversial photo session.

Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, had asked for the matter to be referred to the prosecutor, deeming the photos "inappropriate." "All those found guilty of harming archaeological sites and Egyptian civilization will be punished," Waziri said in a statement.

However, the issue has sparked controversy on social media, with some users expressing disbelief and outrage.

"Is there really a ban on taking photographs in archaeological zones, even pictures that are not indecent but completely normal?" one user questioned.

Egypt has strict rules in place at the ancient pyramids and has banned indecent and disrespectful photographs.

Over the last few years, Egyptian courts have jailed a dozen social media influencers for sharing content judges deemed offensive.

In December 2018, images of a naked couple embracing at the top of the Great Pyramid of Cheops had ignited a media outcry. The authorities arrested a camel owner and a young female guide for helping the couple to gain access to the site. Danish photographer Andreas Hvid, who uploaded a video regarding the same on YouTube, had claimed that the pair had spent “several hours sneaking around” the Giza plateau before scaling the ancient structure -- a move that in itself is strictly forbidden.