Cairo, 28 July (AKI) An Egyptian belly dancer and a singer are in prison awaiting to trial on charges of "inciting obscenity, spreading depravity and shameful acts", the Arabic Youm7 website reported on Tuesday.
The belly dancer, Bardis, and the singer, Shakira, were arrested after video clips featuring the women wearing skimpy dresses and girating their hips were posted to the internet, Youm7 said.
The women are being held in Qanatir jail outside Cairo pending their first trial hearing, due to be held on Thursday.
"Why me, why don't they arrest the many other dancers in this country?" Youm7 quoted Bardis as saying as prison warders handed her a white prison uniform.
In April, an Armenian belly dancer, Sofinar Gourian, was jailed for six months after she performed wearing a red, white and black costume - the colours of the Egyptian flag.
--IANS/AKI
mr/
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors


Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share


Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor


Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements


Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
