"Two gay men arrested in Malawi after getting engaged have pleaded not guilty to charges of gross public indecency," reports the BBC. Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza appeared at a packed court in Malawi's biggest city Blantyre, where they will ask for bail on Monday. They face three charges of unnatural practices between males and gross indecency. The BBC's Raphael Tenthani in Blantyre says large crowds of onlookers went to see the couple in court. He says some people congratulated them but other shouted insults. Prosecutors say they will send the pair to hospital to prove they have had sex together. Mr Monjeza, 26, hinted that he may consider calling off the proposed wedding, as he was sent back to prison. "I am sad I am going back to Chichiri Prison," he said. "The condition are terrible there. People are exaggerating this thing. I may just as well dissolve this marriage." Mr Chimbalanga, 20, dressed in women's clothes, refused to speak to journalists, beyond accusing them of writing "stupid" things.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Gay Malawi couple plead NOT guilty to charges of gross public indecency
"Two gay men arrested in Malawi after getting engaged have pleaded not guilty to charges of gross public indecency," reports the BBC. Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza appeared at a packed court in Malawi's biggest city Blantyre, where they will ask for bail on Monday. They face three charges of unnatural practices between males and gross indecency. The BBC's Raphael Tenthani in Blantyre says large crowds of onlookers went to see the couple in court. He says some people congratulated them but other shouted insults. Prosecutors say they will send the pair to hospital to prove they have had sex together. Mr Monjeza, 26, hinted that he may consider calling off the proposed wedding, as he was sent back to prison. "I am sad I am going back to Chichiri Prison," he said. "The condition are terrible there. People are exaggerating this thing. I may just as well dissolve this marriage." Mr Chimbalanga, 20, dressed in women's clothes, refused to speak to journalists, beyond accusing them of writing "stupid" things.
