After journalist Maha El-Saghir, ex-wife of actor Ahmed El-Sakka, was referred to court on charges of infringing the intellectual property rights of world-famous artworks, Danish painter Lisa Lak Nielsen, owner of the stolen paintings, arrived in Egypt for a few-day visit in response to an invitation from Egyptian authorities.A tourism company had undertaken to cover the travel and accommodation costs for the Danish painter and organize a distinguished program for her, including visits to several tourist and archaeological sites and holding art workshops with a number of artists.In her press statements, the Danish painter thanked the Egyptian government for the invitation and said she is happy to visit Egypt and feels a sense of love from everyone there. She also expressed her eagerness to visit the tourist and archaeological areas, foremost of which is the Grand Egyptian Museum, which she considered a "project of the century."Regarding the theft of her paintings by Maha El-Saghir, the Danish painter said she felt sad when she learned of her referral to court, stressing that this was not her decision but an Egyptian judicial procedure that cannot be interfered with. She said she sympathizes with the Egyptian journalist and does not wish her any harm, expressing her hope that her crisis will pass for the best.Nielsen had previously announced that she was not aware of the theft of one of her paintings by Maha El-Saghir until she was sent several video clips from an Arabic TV program.The Egyptian journalist admitted to stealing the drawings that she claimed were her own creations, acknowledging that she had erred against all other artists and against the media platform through which she spoke about those works.The crisis dates back to last July, when the Egyptian journalist showcased artworks on a TV program, claiming they were hers and her own creation.A few days after the episode was aired, international artists accused El-Saghir of stealing their works, including Danish painter Lisa Nielsen, French artist Chti, and German artist Caroline Windlin.On the background of the stolen paintings crisis, Egypt's Supreme Media Council decided to ban Maha El-Saghir from media appearances for six months for violating the council's standards.
