TWO Brit pole-dancers who sparked outrage in Greece after staging a raunchy on-cam display have been convicted of “degrading” a monument.
The provocative photo session took place outside the Old Palace of St. Michael and St. George in Corfu, a 200-year-old ex-royal residence and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Shocking footage shared by Greek media showed two women in raunchy red lingerie posing on a pole in front of fellow dancers.
Another clip captures a Brit in a black thong leotard being cheered on by a woman shouting: “Yes Shelly, nice!”
The Brits were accused of violating archaeological law and degrading the surrounding area.
Now, two of the Brits who organised the photo shoot have been found guilty of degrading the cultural landscape of Corfu.
They were handed a six-month suspended prison sentence.
But the court came to the conclusion that the five Brit women were innocent of the offence of violating Archaeological Law.
This is because there was no evidence that material damage was caused to the monument.
Following their court appearance, the British women expressed gratitude to the Greek judiciary and apologized for the unusual event and any inconvenience it might have caused.
They emphasized that offending the locals or disrespecting the island’s culture was not their intention. The women explained that they have deep affection for Corfu, having participated in dance events there on multiple occasions.
Dozens of furious residents slammed the shoot after it went viral online, branding it “disgraceful” – and accusing the performers of being British, local outlet Proto Thema reported.
Do you know who these pole dancers are? If so, please email annabel.bate@the-sun.co.uk
One person fumed: “The Corfu Palaces: they once hosted royals. Now, pole dancing.
“If Lord Byron saw pole dancing at the Palaces, he would have returned to England without a second thought.”
Another commenter raged: “Would they do the same at Buckingham [Palace]? Of course, here we have been the inferior in Europe for years on vacation and binge. [sic]”
According to local media, a pole dancing school in the UK was behind the ordeal.
The school organises a vacation with intensive pole dancing seminars in Corfu every year in the last two weeks of May, ANT1 reported.
The Palace and site of the risky photoshoot was commissioned by British Lord High Commissioner Sir Thomas Maitland in the early 19th century.
It is one of the best-preserved examples of Regency architecture outside the UK and now houses the Museum of Asian Art.
The Directorate of the Museum reportedly had no idea the shoot was happening, according to Protothema.
Outraged locals flooded Facebook with questions.
“Did the permanent residents of the historic centre and their association take a position for this event?” one asked.
“Who gave the permission slip?” demanded another.
“Someone should call the police,” a third added.
