Egypt investigates after photo of naked couple on Great Pyramid sparks outrage

The stunt by two expats was a breach of public morality, minister says

FILE - In this Dec. 12, 2012 file photo, policemen are silhouetted against the Great Pyramid in Giza, Egypt. Scientists have found a previously undiscovered hidden chamber in Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza, the first such discovery in the structure since the 19th century. In a report published in the journal Nature on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017, an international team says the 30-meter (yard) void deep within the pyramid is situated above the Grand Gallery, and has a similar cross-section. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)
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A Danish photographer has sparked outrage in Egypt after posting an image of himself and a woman naked on top of the Great Pyramid of Giza, leading authorities to launch an investigation into the incident.

Self-described photographer Andreas Hvid posted a video of the pair climbing the pyramid at night, alongside the image of their explicit pose apparently on the monument. In the video, the woman removes her top.

The incident sparked outrage on social media in Egypt, with some critics labelling the antics as “reckless” and “pathetic” and others saying the pair “belong in jail”.

Mr Hvid’s photography, which he shares via Instagram, often involves women posing with little clothing on top of high structures.

Egyptian media reported that prosecutors would investigate whether the video was real and how the couple were able to climb the pyramid, which is strictly forbidden.

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Egyptian Antiquities Minister Khaled Al Anany said the images were a “violation of public morality”, according to a report by Egyptian newspaper Al Ahram.

"I demanded that experts be tasked with checking the video and determine whether they are real or fake,” Mr Al Anany told members of the parliamentary media, culture and antiquities committee on Sunday.

"The prosecution authorities will tell Egyptians how the two tourists were able to scale the Great Pyramid of Khufu, whether the video is real or fake, and negligent officials will be brought to justice," Mr El-Anany said.

"The explicit video has sparked fury and outrage among Egyptians in general, and the officials affiliated with the Ministry of Antiquities in particular," he continued. "I stress that scaling the pyramids is strictly forbidden.”

In an interview with Danish media, Mr Hvid said it took about 25 minutes to climb the 140-metre pyramid. But he denied claims that the pair engaged in a sex act at the top.