Egyptian Model Salma al Shimi arrested over offensive photoshoot

EGYPT: Egyptian authorities have arrested model and Instagram influencer Salma al Shimi after her offensive and inappropriate photoshoot went viral. She was later, however, released on bail of 1000 Egyptian Pounds along with her photographs.

The Egyptian tourism officials described the act as offensive to the country’s history, both the model and her photographer Hossam Mohammad were arrested and later released on Tuesday.

Both the model and her photographer are said to be facing charges for the photoshoot without prior authorization at the country’s archaeological site.

Egyptian Model Salma al Shimi Photoshoot

Reports from Local Media

Egyptian media Al Ahram reports, On the day of the incident, the model and the photographer went to the Saqqara region and entered with 3 regular tickets.

The model entered wearing an abaya over the Cleopatra costume, The photoshoot was complete in just 15 minutes.

Salma al Shimi Photoshoot Cleopatra costume

Al Shimi said she entered in a normal way and she was not aware that a special license was required.

She also said the photoshoot took place in the presence of the workers and they complied will all their instructions.

The Supreme Council of Antiquities has ordered to investigate the vulgarity depicted by the model in the photoshoot while dressed as Cleopatra.

Dr. Mustafa Waziri The Supreme Council of Antiquities stated that all aspects relating to location and clothes worn are taken into consideration when someone submits the request to film inside the region.

Another Egyptian media Youm7 reports Salma Al Shimi said she was not aware of the rules and adhered to the instructions given by the workers at the site. She said she did not violet nor defrauded them. She was also surprised by the controversy that emerged after she published her images.

The investigation revealed that the defendant entered the site with 3 normal tickets. The model was wearing black abaya as she entered but took it off after entering.

The brother of the photographer Hossam Mohammad confirmed that his brother was arrested by the police from his home in Helwan. He also confirmed that model Salma was also arrested.

Shimi’s Statement

Salma Al Shimi in a statement said her intentions were to promote tourism. She did not intend to offend the Egyptian culture. She claimed she was not aware of the rules and did not know that entering without a permit was forbidden.

The photographer Hossam Mohammad expressing his disappointment said: “if a thin girl was in Salma’s place, the issue would be very normal”.