Cairo — An Egyptian model was arrested on Monday over a photo session in Saqqara, a prominent archaeological site in the city of Giza.
Two of the ministry's employees and four security personnel who work at the location were also referred to prosecutors for administrative investigation, Sabry Farag, director of the Saqqara antiquities site, told CBS News.
Anyone who wants to carry out a photo or video shoot for commercial purposes at one of Egypt's archaeological sites must obtain a permit from the ministry.
El-Shimy's photographer, 22-year-old Hossam Muhammed, told a local newspaper that he and his subject reached an "agreement" with staff at the site to shoot photos around the Pyramid of Djoser for about 15 minutes.
El-Shimy referred to herself as Queen "Malban-titi" for the photo shoot, a name combing references to the sweet treat Turkish delight, "Malban," and ancient Egypt's Queen Nefertiti.
They are facing formal charges of photography without a permit, according to local news outlets, but no charges related to indecency or anything else stemming from the claims of impropriety.
Mohamed told local press he was surprised by the huge reaction, insisted he did nothing wrong and was just trying to earn a living
Just two weeks ago Saqqara was in the news for the landmark archaeological discovery of about 100 sealed coffins containing mummified bodies
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