February 23 — Cairo: Egyptian authorities have arrested a tour guide after a video circulated online showing him drawing on the wall of the Pyramid of Unas in Giza while explaining historical details to tourists.
The Ministry of Interior confirmed that an investigation was launched following the emergence of the footage on social media. The Saqqara Tourist Police Station received an official complaint from an antiquities inspector, who reported that the guide had marked the outer surface of the ancient monument during a tour.
According to the ministry’s statement, the markings were later removed by the relevant authorities to restore the monument’s condition.
The suspect was taken into custody and admitted to the act during questioning. Legal action has been initiated in accordance with Egyptian law.
Under Article 45 of the Antiquities Protection Law of 1983, anyone found guilty of writing or engraving on historical monuments faces a prison sentence of at least one year and may be fined up to EGP 500,000.
The Pyramid of Unas, located in the Saqqara necropolis, is one of Egypt’s significant ancient monuments and dates back approximately 3,000 years.
