Model and photographer arrested over 'sexy' photo shoot at ancient pyramid

Model and photographer arrested over 'sexy' photo shoot. (Courtesy)

A model and a photographer have been arrested after a "sexy" photoshoot at a pyramid in Egypt. Snaps of Salma al-Shimi posing in a pharoah-like outfit were branded "provocative and offensive" when they were shared on social media last week. But authorities faced a backlash after the arrests, purportedly for taking photos next to the Step Pyramid of Djoser - which dates back 4,700 years - without permission.

Photographer Houssam Mohammad and al-Shimi are accused of "taking photos without authorisation in the Saqqara archaeological site", Middle East Eye reports. They were released on bail on Tuesday after widespread criticism of the arrests. Al-Shimi, who has thousands of followers on Instagram, was taken into custody after the images were widely shared.