Egyptian Solon Who Had Nose Job Loses Parliamentary Immunity

In Egypt, it is hard to be a politician and fan of plastic surgery.  Anwar El-Balkimy, who is a member of a conservative Islamist party, learned this lesson the hard way when he got a nose job and was forced to make up stories just to prevent any suspicion among his colleagues who think that all cosmetic procedures “meddle with God’s work.”

On February 29, the parliamentary member went to a hospital and claimed that he was beaten and robbed by unidentified men.  However, his colleagues found that the story was just an attempt to cover up his nose job and prevent any suspicion on why his face was covered with heavy bandages that only his mouth, chin, and eyes could be seen.

After initial investigation revealed that El-Balkimy was just making up stories, he was immediately expelled from the conservative Islamist party.  And in an attempt to mend his reputation, he requested other lawmakers to lift his parliamentary immunity so he can face the lawsuit against him.

Meanwhile, state prosecutor is considering filing the estranged solon with lawsuits based on “creating anxiety among the public” and “worrying public officials” with his lies.  At first, many people were hooked on his “robbery story” and it even lead to criticism over the government’s failure to address street crimes which have erupted after authoritarian leader Hosni Mubarak was overthrown. 

Rumors of El-Balkimy’s nose job started when local media showed pictures of him with his face covered with bandages, citing suspicion that it may be the result of plastic surgery.  For this reason, his colleagues brought him to a hospital and was examined and interviewed by doctors.

Perhaps El-Balkimy could have avoided the blunder if he admitted having nose surgery in the first place and just made some white lies that he needed it to correct breathing problems or nasal injuries.  Unfortunately, he chose a more action-packed, harder-to-believe story.