Your tip
RadarOnlineRadarOnline
BREAKING NEWS

Men Sentenced To 14 Years In Malawi Prison -- For Being Gay

May 19 2010, Published 9:55 a.m. ET

Link to FacebookShare to XShare to Email

Two gay Malawi men were sentenced to 14 years in prison with hard labor Thursday, and RadarOnline.com has all the info for you.

The men, Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza, held a party celebrating their engagement as a couple at a Malawi hotel December 26, 2009; they were arrested the next day on charges of unnatural acts and gross indecency.

The judge who presided over the case, Magistrate Nyakwawa Usiwa Usiwa, said he gave the couple the maximum sentence partially to make an example out of them.

Article continues below advertisement

"Maximum sentences are intended for use for worst cases," he said during the sentencing. "We are sitting here to represent the Malawi society which I do not believe is ready at this point in time to see its sons getting married to other sons or conducting engagement ceremonies."

Thirty-seven African countries, Malawi included, consider homosexuality a crime.

NEW PHOTO & EXCLUSIVE DETAILS: Adam Lambert, Boyfriend Leave WeHo Hot Spot

MORE ON:
controversy

Ironically, Malawi is the same country whose officials have ignored the country’s adoption rules to enable Madonna -- an iconic figure in the gay community  -- to adopt two children from the impoverished nation. The pop star last month footed a $15 million bill to build Raising Malawi Academy for Girls, a educational institution set to open next year.

Advertisement

DAILY. BREAKING. CELEBRITY NEWS. ALL FREE.

Opt-out of personalized ads

© Copyright 2024 RADAR ONLINE™️. A DIVISION OF EMPIRE MEDIA GROUP INC. RADAR ONLINE is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Offers may be subject to change without notice.