Cairo (AP) —Egyptian prosecutors were accused of harassing two female tourists in the Giza Pyramid near Cairo on Monday when 13 teenage boys were arrested over the weekend.
The arrest took place after a video appeared on social media showing boys swarming around two young women at a famous archeological site, one of Egypt’s top tourist attractions.
Boys are seen ridiculing women, and some approach women trying to escape. A woman looks back and tries to push the boy away. From the footage, it’s unclear if the boy groped for the woman. I hear a voice saying that the video should be sent to the Minister of Tourism.
Tour guides who filmed the incident on their smartphones accused teenagers of “verbally and physically” harassing women, and they denied them, the public prosecutor’s office said.
This video is angry on social media in the majority of this Muslim country, where sexual harassment and sexual harassment are rampant.
According to the prosecution’s statement, the boys arrested are between the ages of 13 and 15. The statement did not provide details about female tourists.
If indicted, the boys will be tried in the juvenile court.
Visitors to the Pyramids of Giza and other famous archaeological sites in Egypt are routinely harassed, followed by young men who actively offer tours, souvenirs, carriages and camel rides.
The issue of sexual harassment in Egypt defeated President Hosni Mubarak during and after the 2011 uprising, and women were harassed, groped, and in some cases beaten during a major anti-government protest. It attracted worldwide attention when it was sexually assaulted.
In recent years, a woman inspired by the #MeToo movement has spoken on social media about this issue. Authorities have increased penalties for sexual harassment, which are currently being punished with up to five years in prison. They also stepped up their efforts to combat harassment and offensive publicity in tourist areas.