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AP/Press Association Images

Belly dancer jailed for six months - because her outfit looked like the Egyptian flag

The dancer, known as Safinaz, was fined E£15,000 (€1,800) but has been released on bail pending an appeal.

A COURT IN the Egyptian capital of Cairo has sentenced an Armenian belly dancer to six months in prison because her outfit bore too close a resemblance to the country’s flag.

The dancer, known as Safinaz, was fined E£15,000 (€1,800) but has been released on bail pending an appeal.

She was on trial for wearing this outfit during a performance last year in the Red Sea resort town of Ain Sokhna:

It was deemed to be too close to the Egyptian flag by a local hotel owner, who objected to the use of the flag print.

A 2014 law makes “insulting” the national flag a criminal offence in Egypt.

Safinaz is married to an Egyptian and gained instant fame after arriving in Egypt more than two years ago, with her “erotic moves” in performances in several movies and at high-profile weddings.

Read: Egyptian police and football fans clash leaving dozens dead

Read: Enda Kenny could yet intervene in the Ibrahim Halawa case

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26 Comments
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    Mute John Bransfield
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    Jul 8th 2014, 5:45 PM

    The headline makes it sound like some horrible,horrible porno…

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    Mute Sandra Turner
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    Jul 8th 2014, 7:12 PM

    Alan shatter could write the script

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    Mute HomoHabilis1980
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    Jul 8th 2014, 7:21 PM

    Haha and the have the porno names to boot…..bellenda and joan the moan star in……….

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    Mute mcgoo
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    Jul 8th 2014, 7:24 PM

    ……”Ordinary people doing it in the cabinet”

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    Mute Sandra Turner
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    Jul 8th 2014, 9:16 PM

    This stuff writes itself

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    Mute Kerry Blake
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    Jul 8th 2014, 5:45 PM

    In fairness they are milking this for every last piece of news coverage.

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    Mute TOP CAT
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    Jul 8th 2014, 5:47 PM

    Joan and Enda having a good old fashion sleep over…
    Can just pucture the two of them having a pillow fight..

    Im on top Enda…

    I never liked the bottom bunk…

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    Mute cosmological
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    Jul 8th 2014, 5:49 PM

    Unconscious coupling.

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    Mute RonanM
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    Jul 8th 2014, 5:43 PM

    The picture, just why?

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    Mute Mitch
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    Jul 8th 2014, 5:52 PM

    Will it make a difference who they pick to do what department work we are all sick of it at this stage

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    Mute Colette Kearns
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    Jul 8th 2014, 5:45 PM

    UGH!

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    Mute B
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    Jul 8th 2014, 5:54 PM

    *Groan Burton

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    Mute Andrew McMahony
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    Jul 8th 2014, 6:14 PM

    I’d say Edna Kenny “the mute Taoiseach” is only delighted to have a woman to f##k up the ass instead of pig face Gilmore. I don’t know which would be worse.

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    Mute Dervy O' S
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    Jul 8th 2014, 6:38 PM

    Bet you anything they roide!!!

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    Mute John Flood
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    Jul 8th 2014, 6:13 PM

    Democracy? Me are!

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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Jul 8th 2014, 6:52 PM

    He was eyeing up Angela Merkel last weekend…….

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    Mute KentuckyWindage
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    Jul 8th 2014, 6:14 PM

    Joan Burton is a fine thing!!

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    Mute Dervy O' S
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    Jul 8th 2014, 6:38 PM

    Praying this is sarcasm :/

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    Mute KentuckyWindage
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    Jul 8th 2014, 6:42 PM

    Your prayers are answered.

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    Mute Willy Moon
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    Jul 8th 2014, 6:23 PM

    Your sick

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    Mute Chroi Iosa
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    Jul 9th 2014, 12:41 PM

    €nda Kenny and Moan Burton…..

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