Firebrand Armenian belly dancer Safinaz was sentenced to 6 months in prison and a 10,000 EGP ($1,310) fine on charges of insulting the Egyptian flag Monday, Youm7 reported.
Shahinaz al Nagar, a proprietor of a hotel in the Mohandessin district of Giza, filed a lawsuit after the dancer appeared in red, white and black costume resembling the Egyptian flag in June 2014.
In a news conference about the case, Safinaz said that it was a “love letter” to Egypt and its people, and there is no intention to insult.
According to a presidential decree issued in May 2014, insulting the Egyptian flag is punishable by law by up to a year in prison and 30,000 EGP ($3,930.)
Although Egypt allows public belly dancing, the decency police are authorized to regulate conditions that should be followed by the dancers, such as the style of their costumes.
