Saddle Up, Bitches!

A naked model photographed using Peru's flag as a saddle while on a horse could spend up to four years in jail for offending patriotic symbols.

The suggestive shot of Leysi Suarez, whose main job is dancing for the band Alma Bella ("Beautiful Soul") was splashed on the cover of DFarandula magazine and caused a political uproar in the days leading up to Peru's 187th anniversary of its independence from Spain.

"These are patriotic symbols that demand total respect, and using them improperly requires punishment," Defence Minister Antero Flores said. "This is an offense." Flores then ordered a public prosecutor to take up the case and file charges.

Suarez said it was patriotic to pose for the photo. "I haven't committed a crime. I love Peru and show it with my body and soul," the dancer said.

Mario Amoretti, a well-known lawyer, said it depends in part on how Peru's red-and-white flag was used. "It's one thing to cover your body with the flag, but quite another thing to be naked and using it as a horse's saddle," he said.