Egyptian authorities arrested a tour guide after a video of him drawing on the Pyramid of Unas in Saqqara went viral/Photo: Screenshot of video
A tour guide was arrested in Egypt after a video showed him drawing on the outer stones of the Unas Pyramid while explaining the details to tourists. The incident occurred in the Saqqara area south of Cairo, and prompted the Egyptian Ministry of Interior to conduct an investigation.
Misr Al-Youm newspaper reported this development.The Pyramid of Unas is one of the most important monuments in Egypt historically. It dates back to the Old Kingdom and is about 4,400 to 4,500 years old. It is widely known to be the oldest pyramid because it contains pyramidal texts and forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Saqqara.
What happened on site?
According to the ministry’s statement, the Saqqara Tourist Police Department received a report from the local antiquities inspector.
The inspector stated that the guide drew marks on the stones of the outer shell of the pyramid while leading a group of tourists. The authorities described this act as defacing an archaeological monument.The signs were later removed by the relevant authorities.
A video clip circulating on social media shows the guide using chalk to draw lines and simple illustrations directly on the stone blocks while he is explaining.
The footage was filmed by an Egyptian visitor identified on social media as Mahmoud Etman. In the video, the visitor initially calmly confronts the guide and tells him that what he is doing is wrong. The guide responds defensively and asks the photographer.
He insists that the stones he marked were added blocks used in restoration and not original ancient stone.The exchange becomes tense and voices rise.
Arrest and legal proceedings
The Ministry of Interior confirmed that the accused had been arrested.
During his interrogation, he confessed to committing the crime. Legal proceedings have begun.Under Article 45 of the Antiquities Law of 1983, anyone who writes on or inscribes on an antiquity shall be punished by imprisonment for a period of no less than one year. The law also stipulates a fine of up to 500,000 Egyptian pounds.
Identity and background
Many Arab media sources and social media posts describe the guide as a Russian tour guide. Some reports call him Rami Al-Amir.
It remains unclear whether he was a foreign guide or a licensed Egyptian guide leading a Russian-speaking group. During the video confrontation, he reportedly claimed to be a doctor.The case has drawn public attention due to the cultural importance of the Unas Pyramid and the strict legal protections surrounding Egypt’s archaeological heritage. The authorities have not yet announced more details about the legal process.
Public reaction
The video sparked widespread criticism online. Many social media users expressed their anger at what they described as a lack of respect for Egyptian cultural heritage. Many users praised the visitor who filmed the incident and confronted the guide. Others called for stricter monitoring of tour guides at archaeological sites and stronger enforcement of heritage protection laws.This case has renewed debate about the standards of preservation of major tourist sites and the responsibility of licensed guides when dealing with sites of historical interest.
The authorities have not yet announced further details about the ongoing legal process.
Unas Pyramid
The Pyramid of Unas dates back to the 24th century BC and is located in Saqqara as the last royal pyramid of the Fifth Dynasty of Egypt. It was built for Pharaoh Unas, who ruled from about 2375 to 2345 BC, and is famous for the pyramid texts inscribed on its walls. These incantations, hymns, and prayers are considered the oldest extant religious texts and later influenced funerary works such as the Book of the Dead. The complex was originally named “Unas Beautiful Places” and included a mortuary temple, a bridge and a valley temple.
