US EditionBelly Dancer Arrested in Egypt over Instagram Videos Deemed ‘Morally Corrupt’ by Authorities
EGYPT, JUL 7 – Linda Martino faces up to a year of hard labor after being accused of provocative dancing that allegedly violates Egypt's public decency laws, amid a crackdown on performers, officials said.
- Italian-Egyptian belly dancer Sohila Tarek Hassan Haggag, known as Linda Martino, was arrested in Cairo on June 22 for alleged public morality violations linked to her Instagram videos.
- Her arrest reflects Egypt's increased crackdown on activities deemed morally questionable under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, targeting at least five belly dancers on similar charges.
- Authorities accuse Martino of using seductive techniques, provocative dancing, and indecent clothing to incite vice and disrespect public decency and social values, though she denies all charges and says her videos show permitted performances.
- If found guilty, Martino could be sentenced to up to twelve months of forced labor and is expected to remain in custody for at least another two weeks while the Italian consulate attempts to gain access and advocate for her release amid concerns about detainee treatment in Egypt.
- This case highlights ongoing tensions between cultural expression and stringent state morality laws in Egypt, which affect artists and may impact the country's image and tourism reliant on its deep cultural heritage.
24 Articles
24 Articles
Belly Dancer Arrested In Egypt For "Using Seductive Techniques" In Reels
A belly dancer was detained in Egypt for "using seductive techniques" in her dance videos posted to Instagram. Sohila Tarek Hassan Haggag, an Egypt-born and naturalised Italian, was arrested at Cairo International Airport on June 22.
Italian-Egyptian Dancer Arrested for “seductive techniques” in Cairo
Italian-Egyptian belly dancer Sohila Tarek Hassan Haggag made headlines when Egyptian authorities arrested her at Cairo International Airport on June 22 for allegedly using seductive techniques—the exact phrasing investigators cited. The dancer, known professionally as Linda Martino, is accused of corrupting public morals through “provocative dances to incite vice,” according to the Telegraph. The story stunned liberal audiences: Haggag, a natur…
New York Post
Belly dancer arrested in Egypt over Instagram videos deemed ‘morally corrupt’ by authorities
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Italian-Egyptian belly dancer jailed for ’violating morals’
An Italian-Egyptian belly dancer has been sentenced to a year of hard labour in Egypt on charges of violating public morality. Linda Martino, who has over two million followers on Instagram, was arrested at Cairo airport and accused of using "seduction techniques and provocative dancing to incite vice", according to Egyptian authorities. Officials claimed that she appeared "in indecent clothing, deliberately exposing sensitive areas of her body,…
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