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EGYPT: BELLY DANCER RISKS JAIL FOR 'OFFENDING FLAG': INDICTED FOR COSTUME RECALLING NATIONAL FLAG
ANSA English Media Service, Italy
March 11, 2015 Wednesday 12:27 PM CET
(ANSAmed) - CAIRO, MARCH 11 - The defense of Egypt's national pride
with the rise to power of President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi has put a
famous Armenian belly dancer, who is very popular in the country,
in a difficult spot. After being arrested in August, Sofinar this
week was indicted for wearing a tricolor costume that recalls the
Egyptian flag, according to the website of broadcaster Al Arabiya.
She is charged with "offending the flag" based on a law approved last
June to coincide with the election of former general Sisi as head of
State. The charge, which will be examined by a court for minor crimes,
was sparked by a performance of Sofinar - known as Safinaz - who was
wearing a dress with a red bra, a white corset and a black skirt slit
at the front, as seen in pictures and videos posted to the internet.
The law provides for jail terms for anyone offending the national
flag, for example by raising it if it is torn or discolored or by
adding slogans and symbols on it, or using it improperly as in the
dancer's case, according to the prosecution.
As reported by the website of Al Ahram, Safinaz was arrested at
the beginning of this month for performing with the controversial
costume in Ain Sokhna, a resort town on the Red sea south of Suez and
was released the same day on bail. She had already been arrested for
the same reason last August but this time she risks one year in jail,
although she is used to stating her love for Egypt, where she has been
living for the past two years. The artist is married to an Egyptian
and says she wants to stay in the country forever.
ANSA English Media Service, Italy
March 11, 2015 Wednesday 12:27 PM CET
(ANSAmed) - CAIRO, MARCH 11 - The defense of Egypt's national pride
with the rise to power of President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi has put a
famous Armenian belly dancer, who is very popular in the country,
in a difficult spot. After being arrested in August, Sofinar this
week was indicted for wearing a tricolor costume that recalls the
Egyptian flag, according to the website of broadcaster Al Arabiya.
She is charged with "offending the flag" based on a law approved last
June to coincide with the election of former general Sisi as head of
State. The charge, which will be examined by a court for minor crimes,
was sparked by a performance of Sofinar - known as Safinaz - who was
wearing a dress with a red bra, a white corset and a black skirt slit
at the front, as seen in pictures and videos posted to the internet.
The law provides for jail terms for anyone offending the national
flag, for example by raising it if it is torn or discolored or by
adding slogans and symbols on it, or using it improperly as in the
dancer's case, according to the prosecution.
As reported by the website of Al Ahram, Safinaz was arrested at
the beginning of this month for performing with the controversial
costume in Ain Sokhna, a resort town on the Red sea south of Suez and
was released the same day on bail. She had already been arrested for
the same reason last August but this time she risks one year in jail,
although she is used to stating her love for Egypt, where she has been
living for the past two years. The artist is married to an Egyptian
and says she wants to stay in the country forever.