Four people have just been imprisoned for homosexuality in Egypt
(Getty)
Four people have been imprisoned for homosexuality in Egypt.
The Haram Misdemeanour Court sentenced the defendants to three years in prison on Saturday, for acts which were “inconsistent with public morality and homosexuality”.
The illegal actions were committed in a residential apartment in Hadayeq al-Ahram, Giza, near the country’s famous pyramids, according to the Egyptian Independent.
Men charged with homosexual activities in Egypt in 2001 (Getty)
The convicted people, whose genders and names have not yet been reported, were arrested as part of the ongoing crackdown on the LGBT community in Egypt.
Police said they received an arrest warrant from the public prosecution before making the arrests, and that aphrodisiacs and sex toys were confiscated from the scene.
The crackdown began last month, after at least one rainbow flag was waved at a concert by the Lebanese band Mashrou Leila, whose lead singer is openly gay.
Egypt’s conservative, pro-government media stoked anti-LGBT sentiment after the concert, with prime-time TV host Ahmed Moussa telling his audience: “Homosexuality is a crime that’s as terrible as terrorism.”
A Pride flag at Mashrou Leila’s concert
Egyptian authorities responded with a ‘purge’ targeted at the country’s gay community, raiding homes and arresting more than 60 people to date, according to sources.
10 of those arrested immediately after the concert have already been sentenced to six years in prison each, for “debauchery”.
The Forensic Medical Authority has also carried out anal examinations on at least five of those arrested.
It is de facto illegal to be gay in Egypt, under public morality and order laws. Those convicted of homosexuality can be sentenced to as much as 17 years in prison.
Instanbul Pride march (Getty)
Last week, authorities banned the media from reporting on the issue – while imposing a Russia-style ban on LGBT people being mentioned on TV and film, as well as radio, online or print media.
Egypt’s Supreme Council for Media Regulation issued the statement, which “prohibits the appearance of homosexuals or their slogans in the media”, branding homosexuality a “sickness”.
Eight Egyptian men on trial for filming a gay wedding, 2014 (Getty)
The order forbids any appearance of gay people “in any media outlet whether written, audio, or visual, except when they acknowledge the fact that their conduct is inappropriate and repent for it”.
Though the crackdown has largely targeted gay men, one woman was detained by authorities on suspicion of “promoting sexual deviancy” and “habitual debauchery” for waving the rainbow flag.
Men charged with homosexual activities in Egypt in 2001 (Getty)
It is believed to be the first such incident involving a woman in several years.
Egyptian-born gay activist Omar Sharif Jr., the grandson of Egyptian actor Omar Sharif, spoke to PinkNews about the purge earlier this month.
He said: “I am angry and disheartened by the arrests of fellow Egyptians over the past few days.
Egyptian men accused of “debauchery” in 2015 (Getty)
“The action of authorities are an affront to basic human rights and dignity. No one should be arrested for proudly expressing their authentic selves; they should be celebrated.
“Forcing people to undergo invasive medical examinations is tantamount to torture.
“Let’s be clear, Egyptian authorities are not protecting morality; they are spitting in the face of it.”
