Prosecutors in Egypt have ordered the detention of 13 teenage boys arrested on suspicion of harassing two female foreign tourists at the Giza pyramids.
Egyptians expressed outrage on social media last week after a video showed a group of youths haranguing the young women at the archaeological site.
A prosecution statement said the boys were between 13 and 15 years old.
They have claimed that they only wanted to take photos with the tourists and had not intended to cause any distress.
The boys would be held at a juvenile detention centre until the investigation had been completed, the prosecution statement said.
It added that a complaint accusing the boys of verbal and physical harassment had been filed by a tourist guide who filmed the video, rather than the women themselves.
In the 35-second clip, the guide can be heard complaining that Egyptian boys are "running after the foreigners" and saying that he wants the tourism minister to be aware.
The boys are seen holding up mobile phones as they crowd around the women, who attempt to get away. One of the women tries to push a boy away after another appears to touch her from behind.
In recent years, dozens of women inspired by the #MeToo movement have spoken out on social media about their experiences of sexual harassment and assault in Egypt.
The country's parliament approved harsher penalties for sexual harassment last year, amending the penal code to make it a felony and increasing the penalty to a minimum of two years in prison instead of six months, alongside a fine of between $6,370 (£4,740) and $12,740 (£9,480).
However, Egyptian authorities have been accused of frequently failing to investigate and prosecute men accused of sexual harassment or assault against women and girls.
A UN study in 2013 found that 99.3% of girls and women in Egypt reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment in their lifetime, and that 82.6% did not feel safe or secure in the street.
Latest Stories
-
Women advocate for tax waivers, clear timelines for implementation of economic policies
11 seconds -
Disinformation, misinformation making our work tedious – NCCE
12 mins -
COP29: Africa expected more in new Climate Finance deal
15 mins -
Vice President Bawumia commends Lands Commission for digitalising its operations
17 mins -
By age 7, I knew everything I wanted to do in life – KOD
19 mins -
10 GWCL customers in Ashanti north celebrated for loyalty, timely water bill payment
19 mins -
Forex debt crisis at ECG: A threat to Ghana’s sovereignty and economic stability
21 mins -
Donewell Life Assurance rebrands to Pinnacle Life Insurance: A new era of excellence
52 mins -
NDC blames ECG’s poor revenue collection for energy sector challenges
54 mins -
MEST Africa, Mastercard Foundation celebrate EdTech Innovations at Demo Day in Accra
59 mins -
AWA reaffirms commitment with FOD Walk during Safety Week
1 hour -
Kuami Eugene hopeful he’ll be first Lynx artiste to survive after leaving the label
1 hour -
Akufo-Addo seeks to use Bawumia to complete Akyem agenda – Asiedu Nketia alleges
1 hour -
National Cathedral: CHRAJ recommends investigation, contract cancellation, possible prosecution
1 hour -
Dr James Orleans-Lindsay wins Man of the Year at 9th EMY Africa Awards
1 hour