An Instagram model and her photographer arrested over a saucy photoshoot in front of a pyramid.
Egyptian authorities arrested IG influencer Salma al-Shimi and photographer Houssam Mohammad following what local media outlets called a 'provocative and offensive' shoot.

Following the arrest, police charged Salma with taking photos without authorization at an archeological site.
The pair were later released on bail, awaiting investigation.

The model did a photoshoot at the 4700-year-old Step Pyramid of Djoser at Cairo's outskirts.

She posed in front of the ancient Pyramid wearing an Egyptian-inspired, though not authentic, outfit.

The photographer said Salma entered the site while wearing a robe after the staff requested her to. She then changed the outfit when they reached the location.
The photographer added that the photoshoot lasted only 15 minutes. He also said six employees watched him and Shimi during the photo shoot, but they didn't ask them to stop.

In response to the photoshoot online, Mohammad expressed surprise, saying that 'if a thin girl were in Salma's place, the issue would be very normal.'
Shimi later appeared in front of a public prosecutor and objected to all accusations against her. She argued that her aim for the photoshoot was to promote tourism rather than offend Egypt.
She also said she had no idea that taking photos on archaeological sites without a permit violated any regulations.
However, Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, deemed Salma's photos inappropriate.
Waziri added that anyone who disrespects Egyptian civilization would face punishment.

Police are investigating the incident and are looking to identify the employee responsible for allowing the model and photographer into the site.
- Advertisement
- Advertisement
- Advertisement
- Advertisement
- Advertisement
Salma's arrest comes amid the Egyptian government's crackdown on women social media users who post 'inappropriate content.'
Some women, however, have pointed out that men get a pass for wearing similarly revealing outfits.
In a case that reignited Egypt's women's rights movement last year, a court sentenced five women to two years in prison and fined each 300,000 Egyptian pounds ($19,135) over their TikTok posts.
According to court documents, the women's posts violated public morals.