5 More Gay Egyptians Sentenced To Prison With Hard Labour
by Jon ben Asher
365Gay.com Newscenter in London

March 12, 2002

Cairo: The persecution of gay Egyptians continued Monday with the sentencing of five more men to three years in prison with hard labour for engaging in gay sex.

Amid allegations by the men they had been tortured while awaiting trial, the five pleaded guilty to debauchery and running a house for gay sex parties.

Scott Long, Program Director at the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission said: "The defendants have been subjected to brutal torture through beatings and electroshock in the two months since their detention. We call for their immediate release."

When they are released from prison in five years they will be on three years of probation.

Last year 52 men were tried by an Emergency State Security Court on charges of immoral behaviour and contempt of religion after police raided a Nile boat restaurant and accused them of taking part in a gay sex party. Twenty-three were convicted and sentenced to up to five years in prison. The rest were acquitted.

The Security Court is usually reserved from crimes such as terrorism.

Homosexuality is not specifically mentioned in the Egyptian penal code but the general crime of "debauchery" is used to round up gays.

Human rights groups and the French government have expressed concern about Egypt's treatment of gays.

Monday's sentencing came as a human rights group in Paris released a report saying the aftermath of September 11 is being used by governments to thwart civil rights and prevent rights activists from coming to the aid of individuals.

The report, by  Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, was particularly critical of the way gays are treated in Egypt and India.

Close Window to Return to TBC Web Site