Egypt strongly handles the group that stalks and harasses tourists at the pyramids of Giza

Egypt is stepping up efforts to prevent “extremist” harassment and solicitation of tourists in tourist destinations. (Photo: Reuters)

The group that stalks tourists accused of harassment may have to go to court

The incident took place on the third day of the Eid al-Fitr holiday (which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, which begins May 2), at the famous Giza pyramid complex near Cairo – one of Egypt’s top tourist attraction archaeological destinations.

A group of teenagers stalking two foreign female tourists at the Giza pyramid complex has just been detained for investigation. (Photo: Twitter)

On social networks appeared and spread very quickly a video showing a crowd of 13 teenage boys surrounding and harassing two young foreign female tourists at the Giza pyramid complex. The group of teenagers mocked the two female tourists, some of them closing in on them as they tried to escape from the crowd.

Harassed by 13 teenagers, 2 foreign female tourists try to escape the stalking crowd. (Photo: Twitter)

One of the female tourists even had to turn around and push a boy away, but it’s unclear in the video whether he was groping her. The video also features someone’s voice advising that these images be forwarded to Egypt’s tourism minister.

According to a statement from the prosecutor’s office, the tour guide used his phone to record the incident, accusing the group of 13 teenagers of harassing women “both verbally and physically”. These 13 teenagers, aged 13-15, have been detained pending the results of the investigation.

If charged, they will be tried in juvenile court. The notice gave no further information about the two female tourists being harassed.

A group of teenagers followed closely, as two foreign female tourists tried to escape their encirclement. (Photo: Twitter)

Previously, many tourists visiting the Giza pyramid complex and other famous archaeological sites in Egypt, also complained about the same situation. They are approached by young men, stalking in an “extreme” way, enticing them to join horse and camel riding tours or buy souvenirs.

Egypt steps up efforts to prevent “extremist” harassment and solicitation of tourists

The stalking and harassment of a female tourist this time happened despite warnings from authorities ahead of the Eid al-Fitr holiday, also at a time when Egypt is stepping up efforts to attract international tourists in the post-Covid-19 era. 19. Therefore, it caused the Egyptian public to react.

Some newspapers even associated the case with the so-called “Taharrush gamea” (the Arabic term roughly translates as “collective harassment”), which refers to sexual assaults by groups of men in public places. .

Image of female CBS reporter Lara Logan on Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, moments before she was attacked in 2011. (Photo: Reuters)

“Taharrush gamea” takes place when dozens of men at first surround a lone woman. Some then sexually assault, groped or even raped the victim. While other men were not directly involved but watched, or sought to distract the attention of bystanders.

One of the first cases of “Taharrush gamea” to be reported in the Western media was the incident with female CBS reporter Lara Logan. She suffered harassment while covering a protest in Egypt in 2011.

A member of the Hagana (Egyptian Camel Police) force on duty at the famous Giza pyramid complex. (Photo: Reuters)

The situation of sexual harassment in Egypt has since gained more attention, especially after Egyptian women boldly spoke out on social networks about “Taharrush gamea”.

Egyptian authorities have increased the penalty for sexual harassment to up to five years in prison, and stepped up efforts to prevent “extreme” harassment and solicitation of tourists, causing outrage at tourist sites. travel destinations.