Owner of belly dancing TV station arrested

JournalismPakistan.com | Published 13 years ago

CAIRO: An Egyptian security official says vice police have arrested the owner of a TV station that broadcasts belly dancing 24 hours a day for allegedly operating without a license, inciting licentiousness and facilitating prostitution.

The official says ElTet station owner Baligh Hamdy was taken into custody Thursday (May 17) in Cairo after authorities received viewer complaints.

He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to brief the media.

ElTet broadcasts videos of belly dancers, often in racy outfits, and carries advertisements for sexual enhancement products and love messages.

While belly dancing is a quintessential Egyptian art form, and is legally performed in hotels and clubs, the country has grown more conservative over the years.- AP

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