Russian Father Allegedly Assaulted in Sunbed Dispute at Luxury Egyptian Resort
A Russian father-of-three has claimed he was brutally beaten and choked during a heated argument over sunbeds while staying at a five-star resort in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The incident, which reportedly involved British tourists, has sparked a criminal investigation by local authorities.
Details of the Alleged Attack
The man from Moscow alleges that he left his sunbeds unattended briefly to go swimming with his three young daughters. Upon returning, he found that approximately fifteen British tourists had allegedly thrown their towels on the ground and taken over the loungers. When he confronted the group to inquire about the situation, he claims they responded aggressively, telling him to "get out of here" and asserting the sunbeds were theirs.
According to reports from pro-Kremlin media outlets, the dispute escalated when one of the British women allegedly pushed one of the young girls. The father intervened to protect his daughter, at which point he was reportedly set upon by the crowd of Brits. He claims he was beaten and choked with what was described as a rope or towel during the altercation.
Conflicting Accounts and Video Evidence
Footage from the scene reportedly shows British tourists making rude gestures toward the Russian family, with audio capturing a female voice asking "Are you recording?" and a male voice telling them to "F*** off." Hotel staff were seen attempting to mediate the situation, though discrepancies exist between different accounts, particularly regarding the exact number of British tourists involved.
The pro-Putin outlet further claimed that the victims did not receive immediate medical assistance following the alleged assault. Egyptian police have taken statements from those involved and opened a criminal investigation into the matter.
The Broader Context of Sunbed Wars
This incident occurred at the Sunrise Arabian Beach Resort, where rooms start at £155 per night. The altercation highlights the ongoing phenomenon of "sunbed wars" that plague holiday resorts worldwide, particularly during peak seasons when demand for prime poolside loungers exceeds supply.
Last year, these conflicts reached new extremes with reports of holidaymakers sleeping outside overnight to reserve coveted spots. Research indicates that British tourists from the West Midlands are most likely to admit reserving sun loungers while abroad, while those from the West Country and Yorkshire and the Humber exhibit better behavior with only eight percent confessing to such practices.
Such disputes have become a recurring feature at hotels in popular sun destinations, reflecting broader tensions that can arise when large groups of tourists compete for limited amenities in confined resort environments.
