Entertainment: Armenian belly dancer faces deportation from Egypt for ‘inciting debauchery’ for dancing with bikini-clad women

MEAWW

Aug 7 2019

The woman, identified as Sofinar Grigoryan and popularly known as Safinaz, could reportedly also face three years in prison over the video.

By Namrata Tripathi

A belly dancer from Armenia, who has been accused of “inciting debauchery” in Egypt, could face deportation after videos of her dancing with bikini-clad women were shared online, according to reports.

The woman, identified as Sofinar Grigoryan, known as Safinaz, could reportedly also face three years in prison over the video. The clip was taken during a performance last month that occurred in a resort located in Egypt’s North Coast. The video shows Sofinar asking women in the audience to join her on stage as one eventually danced with her and others followed, according to the Daily Mail.

Reports state that the footage of the women dancing has angered many people in Egypt, who have called the clip “explicit” and “unacceptable.”

Even Egypt’s Censor Board took action against Grigoryan this week, accusing the dancer of “inciting debauchery.”

The Musicians’ Syndicate also released a statement regarding Grigoryan’s performance, saying that action will be taken against her.

Sayidaty Magazine reportedly quoted the dancer as saying that she will not be able to perform in the country as long as her trial is ongoing.

Grigoryan also spoke to Al Watan News and responded to the accusations against her, saying: “I always adhere to rules concerning wearing appropriate belly dancing outfits. I was never on stage naked.”

The dancer added that she could not be held responsible for the actions of two women who joined her on stage.

“They both performed on stage half an hour before I went on. They joined me in on the show and it wasn’t my place to stop them from doing that,” Grigoryan said. “This isn’t the first time women dance on stage like this [wearing swimsuits], especially at events held in beach resorts.”

Grigoryan, in 2015, was reportedly handed a six-month prison sentence and a fine of 15,000 Egyptian pounds ($907) for wearing an outfit during her performance which resembled the Egyptian flag.

https://meaww.com/armenian-belly-dancer-could-face-deportation-from-egypt-for-inciting-debauchery

Disclaimer: This article was contributed and translated into English by Emil Lazarian. While we strive for quality, the views and accuracy of the content remain the responsibility of the contributor. Please verify all facts independently before reposting or citing.

Direct link to this article: https://www.armenianclub.com/2019/08/08/entertainment-armenian-belly-dancer-faces-deportation-from-egypt-for-inciting-debauchery-for-dancing-with-bikini-clad-women/

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS