Overview

• Linda Martino, a naturalised Italian-born belly dancer and influencer with over two million social media followers, was arrested at Cairo Airport on June 22.
• Egypt’s prosecutors accuse her of using “seductive techniques” and provocative dances in viral videos to incite vice and expose sensitive areas in violation of public morality.
• Martino denies the charges and maintains she holds valid permits, asserting that her performances comply with Egyptian decency regulations.
• The arrest is part of a broader enforcement drive under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi that has seen at least five belly dancers detained on similar morality charges.
• Her detention has been extended by two weeks as the Italian Embassy in Cairo presses Egyptian authorities for detailed information on the case.