Egyptian model Salma al-Shimi and photographer Houssa Mohammed have been booked by police for doing an “indecent” photoshoot at an ancient pyramid.
They were arrested on November 30 at Saqqara necropolis, 20 miles south of Cairo, after the photoshoot was deemed “revealing” and “disrespectful”.
The model and social media influencer had posted images of herself in ancient Egyptian garb with pharaoh-like accessories near the Step Pyramid of Djoser on social media.
She faced widespread backlash from netizens who branded the pictures “provocative and offensive”.
She reportedly said she was unaware that photography on archaeological sites without a permit was forbidden. The model also argued that her intent was to promote tourism to Egypt and not to offend anyone or the culture.
Mostafa Waziri, the secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said “disrespectful photos at the ancient sites are banned and anyone who shows negligence when it comes to antiquities or our unique Egyptian civilization will be punished”.
Both the model and the photographer were released on bail on Tuesday after a fine of $32 each but will face charges for “taking photos without authorisation in the Saqqara archaeological site”.
The Pyramid of Djoser is 4,700 years old and is a Unesco World Heritage site. There are strict regulations that ban photography deemed indecent or disrespectful.
Egypt has in the past seen arrests of social media users and influencers for posting content deemed offensive by local authorities. It is mostly women influencers who bear the brunt of such policing by the regime.
In July, an Egyptian court sentenced five young women to two years in prison each for posting “indecent videos” on TikTok.
