An Old Cairo appeals court overturned an imprisonment sentence against controversial television host Mona Iraqi for charges of defamation and dissemination of false news. Iraqi had been sentenced to six months in prison and was ordered to pay an EGP 1,000 fine in November of last year for her involvement in a televised raid on a Ramses bathhouse in December 2014. Iraqi, who hosts the television show “El Mestakhaby” (The Hidden), had claimed responsibility for informing security forces of “debauchery” at the bathhouse. Following the incident, Iraqi was internationally condemned for violating human rights and the case attracted significant media attention. After news of the Tuesday ruling broke, Mona Iraqi became Egypt’s top trending topic on Twitter, with many users wondering how both the host and the men from the bathhouse were found innocent in the case. 26 men were put on trial following the raid but all were acquitted in January of last year. Four of the defendants, including the owner of the bathhouse, were accused of “running a place that organizes paid sexual orgies”. The other 21 were accused of debauchery and underwent intrusive anal examinations by the…
Egyptian Court Overturns Sentence Against TV Host Behind ‘Gay Cairo Bathhouse Raid’
January 19, 2016
