Cairo, Dec 3 (IANS): Egyptian actress Rania Youssef is facing public obscenity charges after walking the red carpet at the Cairo International Film Festival in a dress that revealed her legs. She has apologized.

Egypt is a conservative country with a large Muslim population. Even though it was only her legs that were revealed, it was considered obscene, reports deadline.com.

Photographs of her dress were posted on social media and immediately invited backlash. She is set to go on trial on January 12 after a group of lawyers complained about her dress to the chief prosecutor.

She has since taken to social media to apologize.

She wrote: "I probably miscalculated when I chose to wear this dress. It was the first time that I wore it and I did not realise it would spark so much anger... I reaffirm my commitment to the values upon which we were raised in Egyptian society."

If Youssef is convicted, she can face up to five years in prison.