Hala Sarhan accused of fabricating prostitute story
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
by
|
|
|
 Three Egyptian women are claiming that they were paid to pretend to be prostitutes during a recent show hosted by famed Egyptian TV personality Hala Sarhan. Following their appearance on Hala Show, which airs on Rotana Cinema Channel, the three women gave interviews to private Egyptian satellite channel Mihwar, alleging that they had been paid between 200 and 400 Egyptian pounds ($35-$70) apiece to appear as prostitutes on the Saudi-owned network.
The women, whose faces were blurred during the interview with Sarhan, said that they were nonetheless recognized by their families and friends and had suffered as a result. One even claimed that her fiancé had broken up with her following the show. The three are now suing Sarhan, who is also the head of production for Rotana’s cinema division, for defamation of character.
Egypt’s public prosecutor has also leveled accusations against Sarhan following the show, which was pitched as an exposé of prostitution in the country. He claims that Sarhan lied about a security institution, specifically the police. The charges, if proven, could carry a prison sentence.
Sarhan has fired back saying that Mihwar’s coverage hadn’t allowed her to respond to critics. Sarhan said she had not personally chosen the three to appear on her show, but said that it was normal for a TV station to pay an appearance fee to a guest. “What woman would be willing to call herself a prostitute for less than $40?” she asked.
Rotana, in the meantime, has pledged in a statement “not to keep silent over this defamation.” The channel’s lawyers have threatened a countersuit against the three women for defaming the channel.
|
