A GROUP of pole dancers who sparked outrage after staging a semi-nude photoshoot outside a revered historic palace have been arrested.
The provocative photo session took place outside the Old Palace of St. Michael and St. George in Corfu, a historic 200-year-old former royal residence that is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Footage shared by Greek media showed two women in racy red lingerie balancing on a pole.
Another clip captures a dancer in a black thong leotard being cheered on by a woman shouting: “Yes Shelly, nice!”
The women are now accused of violating archaeological law and degrading the surrounding area.
The individuals involved have expressed regret for their “unfortunate” actions, admitting that they did not understand the seriousness of their behavior until the footage became widely circulated online.
Numerous outraged residents criticized the shoot on social media, calling it “disgraceful” and accusing the performers of being British, as reported by the local source Proto Thema.
Do you know who these pole dancers are? If so, please email harvey.geh@news.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]”
Concerns were also raised over possible damage to the site, with one user asking whether the performers had “pierced the slabs in the ground” to secure the pole.
So far, there’s no evidence the historic structure was harmed.
The group of women had been visiting Corfu as they had done for several years to take part in various dancing events.
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.
It comes as a tourist is facing a £168,000 fine after hurling a huge rock into a gorge at Spain’s Picos de Europa National Park.
The incident occurred on the popular Cares Trail, which draws 300,000 hikers annually.
In a viral video, the man is seen throwing the stone over the edge, followed by a loud crash below.
