Latest news with #bellydancer
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Yahoo
Belly dancer arrested in Egypt over Instagram videos deemed 'morally corrupt' by authorities
An Italian belly dancer of Egyptian descent was arrested in her native country for "using seductive techniques," according to media reports. 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. Wife Of Boulder Firebombing Suspect Begs Americans For Help While Judge Delays Deportation 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. Abrego Garcia Says He Endured Beatings, Torture In Salvadoran Prison Ahead Of Criminal Trial Read On The Fox News App 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. Click To Get The Fox News App 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 article source: Belly dancer arrested in Egypt over Instagram videos deemed 'morally corrupt' by authorities
Fox News
09-07-2025
- Fox News
Belly dancer arrested in Egypt over Instagram videos deemed 'morally corrupt' by authorities
An Italian belly dancer of Egyptian descent was arrested in her native country for "using seductive techniques," according to media reports. 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.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Italian belly dancer arrested in Egypt for ‘using seductive techniques'
An Italian belly dancer has been arrested and detained in Egypt for 'using seductive techniques'. Sohila Tarek Hassan Haggag is a naturalised Italian, but was born in Egypt and holds Egyptian citizenship. She dances under the name of Linda Martino and has more than two million followers on social media. Egyptian authorities arrested her at Cairo airport on June 22, accusing her of corrupting public morals with her provocative dancing. The investigation 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'. Investigators said Ms Haggag 'appeared in indecent clothing, deliberately exposing sensitive areas of the body, in blatant violation of social values'. She was reported to be in possession of substantial sums of money at the time of her arrest, which authorities described as the proceeds of 'activities liable to instigate depravity'. The Cairo prosecutor accused her of having 'used seductive techniques and provocative dances to incite vice'. She is expected to remain in jail for at least another two weeks, according to reports. The Italian embassy in Cairo is seeking urgent clarification on her case. Ms Haggag moved to Egypt several years ago and has built a highly successful career. She was previously married to an Italian and is said to have relatives in the Veneto region. Her videos, often shot in popular venues to Egyptian hits, have attracted millions of views on Instagram and TikTok. The indictments include investigations into a cabaret on Egypt's north coast, where Ms Haggag 'appeared in indecent clothing, deliberately exposing sensitive areas of her body, in clear violation of public morals and social values'. 'The investigations have ascertained that Linda used seduction techniques and provocative dances to incite vice,' the document read. Egypt has clamped down on artists and influencers accused of undermining public morality in recent years. Under the government of Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, at least five belly dancers have ended up in jail on charges similar to those against Ms Haggag, Italian media reported. Katerina Andreeva, another belly dancer, has been given a one-year jail sentence on the same charges, Italian media reported. The Egyptian crackdown comes despite efforts by Unesco to recognise belly dancing on its Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Amie Sultan, an Egyptian actress and currently one of the country's best-known belly dancers, has been pushing to give belly dancing a better reputation in its country of origin. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Italian belly dancer is arrested in Egypt for 'outraging public decency' by 'exposing ample parts of her body'
An Italian belly dancer has been arrested and jailed in Egypt for outraging public decency with her saucy performances. Linda Martino, 32, was held after videos of her scantily clad shows were spotted online by officials in Cairo where she lives and works. Linda, who has more than two million followers on her Instagram profile, is in custody facing accusations of 'outraging public decency and values of family and society'. Videos on her social media show her shaking her hips snake like while pouting and thrusting her cleavage towards an appreciative audience in a Cairo venue. According to reports in Italy, prosecutors in the Egyptian capital say that in the clips she 'deliberately wore provocative clothing and performed dance moves with sexual allusions'. Egypt is currently ruled by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi who came to power in 2014 and there have been concerns over human rights and political freedoms. Fourteen belly dancers have also been arrested in the past two years as the country cracks down on exotic performing. On her Instagram – which has dozens of clips of her and photographs in skimpy outfits - Linda describes herself as a 'belly dancer' and adds: 'More than you can handle.' Although born in Egypt, Linda married an Italian businessman and moved to Europe where she lived in Switzerland before returning and she has dual citizenship, One of the charges she is being held on relates to her social media profile which says, 'contains obscene content and incitement to debauchery'. It adds that 'in the clips she wore indecent clothing and exposed ample parts of her body deliberately, in clear violation of public morality and values of society'. Linda was arrested on June 22 as she tried to leave Cairo airport for a tour in Dubai and has already made one court appearance and her request for bail was denied. She told the hearing: 'Belly dancing is an art, I did not incite debauchery or vice, my performances are not a crime. 'What you see on my social media is art, it's an artistic performance. Some of the clips have been manipulated to present me in a bad light. 'I have all the licences and paperwork needed to perform in a professional capacity and the videos that are on my social media are all normal. 'It is a dance routine that does not cross any boundaries and does not offend public morality.' Linda moved to Italy in 2011 after marrying an Italian businessman called Domenico Martino, and they initially lived in the northern city of Cremona before moving to Switzerland. Linda was arrested on June 22 as she tried to leave Cairo airport for a tour in Dubai and has already made one court appearance and her request for bail was denied The couple divorced last year but Linda has Italian citizenship, although this is not recognised by Egyptian authorities and if convicted faces a year in prison with hard labour. Italian authorities are aware of the case and have informed her ex-husband of the situation and are trying to arrange a consular visit. No-one from the prosecutor's office in Cairo was imemditely available for comment. Belly dancing or Arabic dancing is popular in the Middle East and especially Egypt where it is performed and reosrts such as Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada both popular with British holidaymakers.
Telegraph
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Italian belly dancer arrested in Egypt for ‘using seductive techniques'
An Italian belly dancer has been arrested and detained in Egypt for 'using seductive techniques'. Sohila Tarek Hassan Haggag, a naturalised Italian born in Egypt, dances under the name of Linda Martino and has more than two million followers on social media. Egyptian authorities arrested her at Cairo Airport on June 22, accusing her of corrupting public morals with her provocative dancing. The investigation 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'. Investigators said Ms Haggag 'appeared in indecent clothing, deliberately exposing sensitive areas of the body, in blatant violation of social values'. She was reported to be in possession of substantial sums of money at the time of her arrest, which authorities described as the proceeds of 'activities liable to instigate depravity'. The Cairo prosecutor accused her of having 'used seductive techniques and provocative dances to incite vice'. She is expected to remain in jail for at least another two weeks, according to reports. The Italian Embassy in Cairo is seeking urgent clarification on her case. Using techniques 'to incite vice' Ms Haggag moved to Egypt several years ago and has built a highly successful career. She was previously married to an Italian and is said to have relatives in the Veneto region. Her videos, often shot in popular venues to Egyptian hits, have attracted millions of views on Instagram and TikTok. The indictments include investigations into a cabaret on Egypt's north coast, where Ms Haggag 'appeared in indecent clothing, deliberately exposing sensitive areas of her body, in clear violation of public morals and social values'. 'The investigations have ascertained that Linda used seduction techniques and provocative dances to incite vice,' the document read. Egyptian crackdown Egypt has clamped down on artists and influencers accused of undermining public morality in recent years. Under the government of Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, at least five belly dancers have ended up in jail on charges similar to those against Ms Haggag, Italian media reported. Katerina Andreeva, another belly dancer, has been given a one-year jail sentence on the same charges, Italian media reported. The Egyptian crackdown comes despite efforts by Unesco to recognise belly dancing on its Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Amie Sultan, an Egyptian actress and currently one of the country's best-known belly dancers, has been pushing to give belly dancing a better reputation in its country of origin.
