Belly dancer arrested in Egypt over Instagram videos deemed 'morally corrupt' by authorities
Sohila Tarek Hassan Haggag, a naturalized Italian citizen who was born in Egypt and holds Egyptian citizenship, was taken into police custody at the Cairo International Airport on June 22. She is accused of corrupting public morals with her provocative dancing, The Telegraph reported.
The case against Haggag, who dances under the name Linda Martino, was triggered by videos on her Instagram account, in which she writhes around in revealing clothing and describes herself as "more than you can handle."
She appeared "in indecent clothing, deliberately exposing sensitive areas of the body, in blatant violation of social values," according to investigators.
Prosecutors in Cairo said she "used seductive techniques and provocative dances to incite vice."
During her arrest, she was found with a "substantial" amount of money, the news report said. The Italian embassy in Cairo was seeking her release.
Haggag is supposed to remain in jail for at least two more weeks. She reportedly moved back to Egypt several years ago, where she built her successful career. She was previously married to an Italian, the report said.
In recent years, Egypt has clamped down on activities deemed morally questionable. Five belly dancers have been jailed under president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on charges similar to those against Haggag, Italian media reported.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Nightclub 'argument' turns into violence as police storm city centre street
Police descended after a nightclub 'fight' turned into violence on a city centre street. Footage circulating on social media showed at least four Greater Manchester Police cars on flashing lights stopped on Whitworth Street West in the early hours of this morning (July 31). A group of people could be seen gathered outside, including a number of men seen speaking with GMP officers. READ MORE: Air ambulance lands after child hit by car on busy road READ MORE: Labour MPs face backlash over Manchester Airport police attack comments in immediate aftermath of incident The incident unfolded close to MN1 Nightclub, on Whitworth Street West, where police were called out at 1.14am. Never miss a story with the MEN's daily Catch Up newsletter - get it in your inbox by signing up here GMP confirmed it was called out to a 'fight'. The force says a 25-year-old man went on to be arrested on suspicion of common assault. A spokesperson for MN1 told the Manchester Evening News that 'no arrests' took place at the venue, but said one man had been 'ejected' by officers following a 'heated argument'. Other individuals then got involved in an argument outside, the nightclub says. The spokesperson said: "No arrests were made only one male was made to leave the area by police after being ejected from the premises after a heated argument inside the premises. "MN1 have a zero tolerance to any kind of aggressive behaviour. "Subsequently several males proceeded to argue outside the premises and police were called to ensure no beach of the peace [was] committed and [to] reduce any disturbances caused to our neighbours." Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE No serious injuries were reported following the incident, GMP says.
CBS News
2 hours ago
- CBS News
Miami hair stylist whose worked with Hailey Bieber, Halsey accused of trying to lure teen for sexual conduct, police say
Miami celebrity hair stylist Ryan Pearl was arrested on charges that include trying to lure a child for sexual conduct, police say. He's also has also been charged with traveling to meet a child, harmful electronic transmissions to a minor, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and cocaine possession, according to jail records. Pearl, 37, met the 15-year-old girl two years ago when she went to him to have her hair styled, according to the arrest report. Last Saturday, July 26, the teen's mother called the police after she noticed suspicious transactions on her daughter's Apple Wallet account and inappropriate exchanges between Pearl and her daughter on social media, the report said. Detectives took control of the girl's phone and during controlled conversations, they said Pearl made sexual remarks and sent explicit photographs, fully aware he was communicating with a minor. According to the report, Pearl sent the teen pictures of him wearing swim shorts and another of him fully nude on a couch. After receiving the nude snap, the detective portraying the teen, replied "I am very shy please don't, do U care that I am 15? How old R U? Explain things to me, I only know things from my friends when they talk." "You know I am virgin, I've never had sex and I don't know much of it, what if I get pregnant," was another response. According to the report, the undercover detective portraying the teen and Pearl made plans to meet the next day for "sexual activities with the use of condoms." Police said when Pearl arrived at the agreed location on S Bayshore Drive, he was taken into custody. During a search of his car, detectives said they found a baggie of suspected pink cocaine, condoms and vapes. According to "Pearl is responsible for some of the most stunning, vibrant salon hair colors to grace celebrity Instagram selfies and award show red carpet appearances." According to Pearl's Facebook page, he splits his time between working in New York City and at the Ollin Salon in Miami. Earlier this month, Pearl announced that Redken had selected him to be an artistic ambassador. The company noted that he was Hailey Bieber's collaborator. Other celebrity clients include Sophie Turner, Georgia Fowler and Halsey, according to his Instagram account.
CBS News
3 hours ago
- CBS News
Michigan man drives to police station, ends up with OWI arrest
A Michigan man found out that driving to a police department while intoxicated might result in unintended consequences. The Troy Police Department in Oakland County, Michigan, reported that such a scenario happened shortly after 6 p.m. on July 23 at their police station on West Big Beaver Road. That's when a 43-year-old Troy resident stopped by the lobby to explain that he was there to drop off medication for his wife, who was in custody in the police department's short-term lock-up facility. But while speaking with the man, police noted "he was unsteady on his feet and had a strong odor of alcohol coming from his person." As a result of his appearance and upon learning he had driven to the station, police asked the man to perform several sobriety evaluations. "Officers noted he performed poorly," police said. He then agreed to take a preliminary breath test, which came back with a result of .162%. The legal blood alcohol limit for Michigan adults who are driving is 0.08%. The man was then arrested and taken to the Troy Police lock-up facility, where follow-up chemical breath tests were given and came back with results of .175% and .177%. Police issued him a citation for operating while intoxicated.
