Egyptian TikToker sentenced to 3 years in prison for cross-dressing
The ruling by the Ismailia Economic Court on Saturday said that the main defendant had posted indecent videos on the social media site TikTok.
The case began in mid-March, when security authorities in the Sinai city of Dahab, during Ramadan, spotted a group of individuals wearing women's clothing and behaving oddly. They were returning by bus from a trip to the city's beach.
According to security sources, al-Zein and his friend were suspected of being part of this group, and were found to be wearing women's clothing and makeup, prompting authorities to detain them for investigation.
The defendants were referred to the Public Prosecution, which immediately began investigations.
They found that al-Zein, who has a large fan base on TikTok, had been posting videos of himself cross-dressing as a woman and dancing inappropriately, which the prosecution deemed 'contrary to public morals' and 'inciting debauchery.'
The defendants were also examined by forensic doctors to confirm their identities and behavior, and their mobile phones were confiscated.
During the investigation, al-Zein defended himself, asserting that the videos were intended to entertain and attract followers, and had no intention of violating societal values.
The prosecution cited the 2018 Anti-Cybercrime Law, which criminalizes the publication of content deemed 'contrary to Egyptian family values and principles,' as well as articles related to incitement to debauchery.
This case comes within the context of a broader campaign by Egyptian authorities against content creators and those who challenge societal norms on social media platforms, particularly women and those perceived to be challenging traditional values.
These include the cases of TikToker Haneen Hossam and Mawada al-Adham, who were sentenced to prison on charges related to 'violating family values' and 'human trafficking,' before their sentences were later commuted.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily News Egypt
7 hours ago
- Daily News Egypt
Senegal Steps Up Border Security Amid Rising Threats from Sahel Militants
In response to escalating militant threats along its eastern frontier, Senegal has deployed new security units to Kédira, a border region adjacent to Mali. The move follows a series of coordinated attacks in early July targeting Malian military outposts—including one in the town of Diboli, located less than 500 meters from the Senegalese border. The attacks were claimed by Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), a powerful al-Qaeda-linked group active across the Sahel, which analysts say may be seeking to extend its influence into Senegalese territory. Senegalese Minister of the Armed Forces, General Birame Diop, inaugurated the new units with a message emphasizing the importance of trust-building with local communities. 'Establishing a climate of confidence with the population is essential to improving cooperation,' he said, underlining the critical role of border communities in supporting security efforts and countering extremism. Authorities have also implemented a nightly motorcycle ban in the neighboring Bakel region—another area bordering Mali—citing their frequent use by armed groups in hit-and-run attacks. This includes the Diboli assault, where militants used motorbikes to breach defenses and withdraw quickly. The broader region of the central Sahel—encompassing Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso—has witnessed a surge in jihadist violence, with armed groups exploiting local grievances and weak state presence to recruit fighters and expand control. Senegal's move to bolster its eastern defenses reflects growing concern that the Sahel's insecurity could spill over into coastal West Africa. With jihadist groups deepening their presence near key border zones, Dakar is looking to pre-empt any expansion of militant activity into its territory through a mix of military deployment, community engagement, and preventive policy measures.
CairoScene
8 hours ago
- CairoScene
Over 1 Million TikTok Videos Removed in UAE
From hate speech to harmful acts, the videos were removed as part of a wider MENA content cleanup that includes Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon and Morocco. Aug 04, 2025 As part of a broader push to improve platform safety across MENA, TikTok has taken down more than 1 million videos in the UAE between January and March 2025, according to its latest Community Guidelines Enforcement Report. In the UAE, 98.2% of flagged videos were detected proactively, with over 94% removed within 24 hours. The most common violations included hate speech, harassment, misinformation, and dangerous acts—flagged through a mix of AI tools, user reports, and human moderators. Regionally, Egypt saw 2.9 million videos taken down with a 99.6% proactive detection rate, while Iraq recorded over 10 million removals. Lebanon and Morocco followed with 1.3 million and 1 million videos removed, respectively, both surpassing 98% in automated detection efficiency. While short videos make up the bulk of TikTok content, the company is increasingly focusing on its LIVE features. Globally, over 850,000 LIVE hosts were banned and 1.5 million livestreams removed for violating policies—a trend reflected in stricter scrutiny across the region. The report also highlighted that nearly half a million videos were reinstated globally after user appeals, raising questions about the balance between automated enforcement and fair review. The UAE is one of TikTok's most active markets in the Middle East, especially among younger users, prompting growing pressure on platforms to curb harmful or misleading content while preserving space for expression.
Egypt Independent
13 hours ago
- Egypt Independent
Vlogger Laila al-Shabah arrested over slanderous public accusations
Egyptian Security services arrested vlogger Laila al-Shabah after she appeared on a live video broadcast, making slanderous accusations against several public figures. Several were serious allegations that threatened to harm their reputations, such as their involvement in criminal offenses. Shabah's arrest followed after the relevant authorities took action to monitor her video's content and ruled it to be a clear violation of laws criminalizing defamation and the dissemination of false news on social media. The suspect was immediately investigated following her arrest, facing charges including public defamation, defaming well-known figures, broadcasting content that could agitate public opinion and spread confusion, and promoting allegations related to undocumented crimes. This incident coincides with an increase in reports filed by citizens and artists against bloggers who use online platforms to abuse and profit. This has prompted judicial authorities to expand the scope of investigations into similar incidents.
