A BELLY dancer influencer has been arrested for “using seduction techniques” and “exposing sensitive areas” in her viral online videos.
Online sensation Linda Martino, originally from Italy, was arrested for “immortality” in strict Egypt two weeks ago – and is to remain in prison for another fortnight.
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Linda – who has over two million followers on Instagram – moved to the North African country a few years ago and has built a successful career in belly dancing.
Videos of her performing in popular clubs to various Egyptian hit songs have garnered millions of views across various social media platforms.
But an investigation was reportedly triggered by one of her most shared videos, where Linda performs in a cabaret in a traditional belly dancing costume.
The Cairo prosecutor’s office accuses the young woman of having “used seduction techniques and provocative dances to incite vice”.
According to authorities’ report, in some videos Linda “deliberately wore provocative clothing and performed dance movements with sexual allusions”
They say she therefore disrespected “public decency” and the “values of family and society”.
Investigators also argued the artist “appeared in indecent clothing, deliberately exposing sensitive areas of her body, in clear violation of social values”.
She denies all the charges against her and claims she practices her profession in compliance with the law.
The dancer said after being arrested: “I have the permits to practice my activity and all the videos circulating on social media are normal.
“It is a permitted dance performance and does not contain anything that violates or goes against public morals.”
She added that the content she records is “only for entertainment purposes”.
Whilst belly dancing isn’t prohibited in Egypt, videos on social media have to comply with the country’s values.
Egypt has increased its cruel crackdowns on artists and influences accused of offending public morals.
Under Abdel Fattah Al Sisi’s government, at least five belly dancers have been horrifically jailed on charges similar to those given to Linda.
The Pharaoh nation sucks in a staggering 18 million tourists each year, and the industry props up around 10 per cent of the whole economy.
But beyond the plush resorts of the popular Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada – Egypt is covering up its dark underbelly.
The country’s brutal police force deals in bribes and locks people up on bogus charges, including Brit holidaymakers.
Egypt’s picture-postcard image is being tested, with a former British ambassador to the country recently branding it a “police state”.
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