CAIRO ( Egypt’s public prosecutor on Monday ordered thirteen teenagers arrested over the weekend and accused of harassing two tourists at the pyramids of Giza near Cairo to remain in detention pending an investigation.
The arrests came after a video surfaced on social media showing a crowd of children swarming around two young men at the famous archaeological site, one of Egypt’s top tourist attractions.
Children are seen laughing at women and some crowding near them as they try to escape. A woman turns around and tries to push a child away. It is unclear from the footage whether any of the children groped the women. . A voice is heard saying that the video be sent to the Minister of Tourism.
An excursion consultant who filmed the incident with his smartphone accused the teens of “verbally and physically” harassing the women, allegations they deny, the lead prosecutor said.
The video sparked outrage on social media in the Muslim-majority country, where sexual harassment and sexual misconduct, ranging basically from whistling to pinching or occasionally catching in public, are rampant.
According to a statement from the prosecutor’s office, the young detainees are between thirteen and 15 years old. They did not provide important points about female tourists.
If charged, the children will be tried in juvenile court.
Visitors to the Pyramids of Giza and other prominent archaeological sites in Egypt are harassed and followed by young people who aggressively offer tours, souvenirs, carriage or camel rides.
The sexual harassment factor in Egypt attracted international attention and after the 2011 uprising that toppled President Hosni Mubarak, when women were harassed, groped and, in some cases, beaten and sexually assaulted, there were mass protests against the government.
In recent years, encouraged by the #MeToo movement, they have spoken out on social media about the problem. The government has greater consequences for sexual harassment, which is now punishable by up to five years in prison. They have also stepped up their efforts to combat harassment and competitive resellers at tourist sites.
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