OMAR ZOHEIRY/AFP/Getty
Egyptian actress Rania Youssef’s revealing sheer gown worn on the Cairo International Film Festival red carpet gained more attention than she expected. In fact, her outfit choice almost landed her in jail.
One of the lawyers who filed the suit, Samir Sabri,told AFPthat Youssef’s appearance “did not meet societal values, traditions and morals and therefore undermined the reputation of the festival and the reputation of Egyptian women in particular.”
The trial was set for January and if convicted, she could have faced five years in prison. But on Monday, the lawyers released a statement to Arabic outletEl Watan News, announcing that they were withdrawing the charges.
Third, the artist Rania Youssef presented an apology to the Egyptian family and society for this incident and its affirmation that it was not intentional, that it was placed in circumstances beyond its control and that the behavior was wrong and unintentional. We decided to waive the legal measures taken against it.
Finally, we call upon all public figures from artists and others to take into account their behavior and behavior as role models and as the highest ideals for many young men and women in Egypt.”
The apology mentioned was a message Youssef shared on social media. “I probably miscalculated when I chose to wear this dress,” she wrote on Instagram. “It was the first time that I wore it and I did not realize it would spark so much anger…I reaffirm my commitment to the values upon which we were raised in Egyptian society.”
According to theTimes,Youssef’s case is not too unusual for celebrities. Under the authoritarian rule of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, celebrities have been targeted for outfits and behavior that goes against public morals. One example cites singer Laila Amer, who wasdetainedin January for making suggestive gestures in a music video.
source: people.com
