An Egyptian actress is set to face trial, and could be jailed for up to five years. Why? For wearing a see-through dress that showed her legs.
Rania Youssef appeared at the closing session of the Cairo International Film Festival on Thursday wearing a revealing black lacy dress over a tight black bodice with her legs showing underneath.
This prompted not one but TWO lawyers to lodge a suit against her accusing the actress of “inciting debauchery”, a charge that could land her in jail for up to five years if she is convicted.
Think this is ludicrous?
Well in Egypt, a largely conservative society, its not.
Earlier this year, prosecutors detained a female singer for four days for “incitement to debauchery” after an online video clip which includes sensual oriental dances and suggestive gestures went viral.
Last year another female pop singer was sentenced to two years in prison on similar charges, also over a video deemed provocative. Her sentence was reduced to a year on appeal
Youssef has since issued an “apology” on her official Twitter account to the “many (people) angered” by her appearance.
“I probably miscalculated when I chose to wear this dress. It was the first time that I wore it and I did not realise it would spark so much anger,” she said. “I reaffirm my commitment to the values upon which we were raised in Egyptian society,” she added.
Here's the offending dress:
Egyptian actress Rania Youssef is going on trial in Egypt on Jan 12 for wearing this dress. She's accused of committing an indecent act. #FashionCourt https://t.co/07MHcEBNoc
— Samer Al-Atrush (@SameralAtrush) December 1, 2018
See and read more HERE