Belly Dancer’s Arrest at Cairo Airport

Sohila Tarek Hassan Haggag, an Egyptian-born and naturalized Italian belly dancer, was arrested at Cairo International Airport on June 22. Known as Linda Martino on Instagram, where she boasts 2.2 million followers, Ms. Haggag was detained for allegedly using “seductive techniques” in her dance videos.

Charges of Inciting Vice

Prosecutors in Cairo have charged Ms. Haggag with inciting vice through her provocative dances and revealing attire. Investigators claim she violated societal norms by intentionally displaying sensitive body parts in her videos. The New York Post reported these charges, highlighting the cultural tensions surrounding such performances in Egypt.

Italian Embassy’s Intervention

At the time of her arrest, Ms. Haggag was reportedly carrying a substantial amount of cash. The Italian embassy in Cairo has intervened, calling for her release and requesting access to her. Despite holding dual citizenship, Ms. Haggag returned to Egypt after separating from an Italian partner and has since built a successful career in her homeland.

Broader Crackdown on Morality

Ms. Haggag’s arrest is part of a broader crackdown under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s government, which has seen at least five other belly dancers detained on similar morality-related charges. In 2020, dancer Sama el-Masry faced a three-year prison sentence and a hefty fine for sharing sexually provocative images online, a case that drew international attention.

Criticism of Cyberlaws and Human Rights Concerns

Human rights organizations have criticized Egypt’s vaguely defined cyberlaws enacted in 2018, which allow for severe penalties for online content deemed inappropriate. These laws stipulate that anyone operating an internet account found breaching these regulations could face at least two years in jail and fines up to 300,000 Egyptian pounds.