FAMOUS BELLY DANCER SOFINAR ARRESTED OVER 'INSULTING EGYPTIAN FLAG', RELEASED ON BAIL
Ahram Online, Egypt
March 2 2015
Also known as Safinaz, the well-known Armenian dancer was summoned
for the second time on charges of insulting the Egyptian flag
Ahram Online , Monday 2 Mar 2015
Famous Egyptian-based Armenian belly dancer Sofinar (also known
as Safinaz) was arrested Monday by tourism police in Egypt's Giza
governorate for allegedly insulting the Egyptian flag, Al-Ahram Arabic
news website reported.
She was released on an EGP 20,000 ($2,620) bail pending investigation
hours after her arrest.
In 2014, Safinaz was summoned for questioning by Egyptian prosecutors
over a report alleging she insulted Egypt and its people by wearing
a dancing costume fashioned after the Egyptian flag.
Egypt's former interim president Adly Mansour issued a law in early
June imposing a jail term of up to one year and a fine with a maximum
penalty of LE30,000 ($4,000) for anyone who insults the flag.
Some forms of insulting the flag, as stipulated by the law, include
raising, displaying or trading a flag if it is damaged, faded or not
suitable in any other way. It is also prohibited to add any slogans,
designs or pictures to the flag.
Safinaz has been an immediate success since her arrival in Egypt over
two years ago, with appearances in several Egyptian movies as well
as paid performances at prestigious weddings.
During her appearance in several talk shows, the dancer stressed her
love for Egypt and that she wishes to marry to an Egyptian man as
well as to spend her entire life in Egypt.
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/124277/Egypt/Politics-/Famous-belly-dancer-Sofinar-arrested-over-insultin.aspx
From: Baghdasarian
Ahram Online, Egypt
March 2 2015
Also known as Safinaz, the well-known Armenian dancer was summoned
for the second time on charges of insulting the Egyptian flag
Ahram Online , Monday 2 Mar 2015
Famous Egyptian-based Armenian belly dancer Sofinar (also known
as Safinaz) was arrested Monday by tourism police in Egypt's Giza
governorate for allegedly insulting the Egyptian flag, Al-Ahram Arabic
news website reported.
She was released on an EGP 20,000 ($2,620) bail pending investigation
hours after her arrest.
In 2014, Safinaz was summoned for questioning by Egyptian prosecutors
over a report alleging she insulted Egypt and its people by wearing
a dancing costume fashioned after the Egyptian flag.
Egypt's former interim president Adly Mansour issued a law in early
June imposing a jail term of up to one year and a fine with a maximum
penalty of LE30,000 ($4,000) for anyone who insults the flag.
Some forms of insulting the flag, as stipulated by the law, include
raising, displaying or trading a flag if it is damaged, faded or not
suitable in any other way. It is also prohibited to add any slogans,
designs or pictures to the flag.
Safinaz has been an immediate success since her arrival in Egypt over
two years ago, with appearances in several Egyptian movies as well
as paid performances at prestigious weddings.
During her appearance in several talk shows, the dancer stressed her
love for Egypt and that she wishes to marry to an Egyptian man as
well as to spend her entire life in Egypt.
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/124277/Egypt/Politics-/Famous-belly-dancer-Sofinar-arrested-over-insultin.aspx
From: Baghdasarian