Pictures of Salma al-Shimi posing in a pharoah-like outfit were branded "provocative and offensive" when they were shared on social media last week.
But authorities faced a backlash after the arrests, purportedly for taking photos next to the Step Pyramid of Djoser - which dates back 4,700 years - without permission.
Photographer Houssam Mohammad and al-Shimi are accused of "taking photos without authorisation in the Saqqara archaeological site", Middle East Eye reports.
They were released on bail on Tuesday after widespread criticism of the arrests.
Al-Shimi, who has thousands of followers on Instagram, was arrested after the images were widely shared. They have since been removed. A police source said last week, according to The Guardian: "The photographer was arrested after a private shooting with dancer Salma al-Shimi in the archeological zone." Outraged officials allegedly labeled the photos as disrespectful. Mostafa Waziri, secretary general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, told Al-Watan news that anyone who “disrespects” Egyptian civilization will face punishment. Speaking to the prosecutor, the model said her intention was to promote tourism, not to cause insults. And the confused Egyptians threw out an excuse for arrest. 📎 COMMENTS 👀 ☝️👆👈👉✍️🤳 DROP YOUR OPINIONS
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