A video circulating on social media sparked fury after 13 teenage boys were seen harassing and following two young women. The women were seen pushing the boys away as they continued to follow them. The video somehow reached the Ministry of Tourism, and this led to their arrest. It is reported that the arrested teenagers will be possibly tried in juvenile court.
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13 teenage boys have been arrested after a video surfaced on social media that showed them harassing two young women at the famous archaeological site, one of Egypt's top tourist attractions.
The boys are seen jeering at the women and some press close to them as they try to get away.
One woman desperately tried to push the boy away. From, the footage it is unclear whether any of the boys groped the women.
A voice is heard saying the video should be sent to the minister of tourism.
The video was filmed by the tour guide with his smart phone who accused the teenagers of 'verbally and physically' harassing the women - charges they deny, the office of the chief prosecutor said.
The video has drawn outrage on social media in the Muslim-majority country.
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According to a statement from the prosecutor's office, the arrested boys are between 13 and 15 years old. The statement did not provide any details on the women tourists.
If the boys will be charged, the boys will be tried in juvenile court.
It is reported that the visitors to the Pyramids at Giza and other famous archaeological sites in Egypt are routinely approached, followed and harassed by young men offering tours, souvenirs, carriage or camel rides.
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It has been noticed that sexual harassment has been a major issue for people in Egypt, especially after the 2011 uprising that toppled president Hosni Mubarak, when women were harassed, groped - and in some cases, beaten and sexually assaulted - during mass anti-government protests.
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In the past few years, the #MeToo movement has seen more women coming out and raising voices against sexual harassement.
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This has created a negative image for Egyptian tourism and in response, authorities have increased penalties for sexual harassment, which is now punishable with up to five years in prison.
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These efforts also include extra efforts to combat harassment and aggressive touts at tourist sites.
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