Seven men sent to jail for ‘being gay’
The men have been jailed for six months after being caught having gay sex by police.
Seven men have been sent to prison in Senegal after they were caught having sex during a raid, police informed a court in Dakar.
The raid came after the mother of one of the accused men told authorities that her son was gay – although she failed to show up as a prosecution witness at the trial, reports the BBC.
Being homosexual is classed as an “act against nature” in the west African country, and is punishable by up to five years in prison or a fine of up to $2,500 (£1,500).
Defence lawyer, Abdoul Daff – who is representing the accused men – said the mother’s failure to appear in court should have caused the case to collapse.
“There was neither material evidence nor testimony in order to corroborate the claims,” he said.
“So, we take note of this and we will see what to do next.”
In July, a journalist in Senegal was sentenced to six months in prison for ‘acts of homosexuality’.
Tamsir Jupiter Ndiaye – who has previously been convicted of homosexuality – was arrested in June, accused of attempted rape.
After being chased by an angry mob, the well known journalist took shelter in a Dakar police station.
In 2012, Ndiaye was sentenced to four years in prison for homosexual acts, illegal possession of arms and battery.
His sentence was reduced to two years, and he received parole in 2013.
