Egypt’s prosecutor general arrested seven men who participated in a “gay marriage” video on YouTube. Homosexuality is not illegal in Egypt, but it does violate morality laws. The men are charged with inciting debauchery and violating public decency.
“Nine of the 16 participants were identified in an investigation and seven were arrested,” said state news agency, MENA.
The men celebrated a gay wedding on a boat on the Nile. However, one of the two men said in an interview that the “marriage” was a joke to “celebrate the other man’s birthday.” He also said the men did not “intend to portray a wedding” and there were women on the boat, but they were not in the video. From Egyptian Streets:
The 28-year-old man, whose identity was kept secret, said that people misunderstood the situation as an actual ‘gay marriage.’
The man added that he has a girlfriend and would never think of being with a man, adding that the video was taken a while ago and that its leak has impacted his daily life.
Now the men must face “medical tests” to determine if the men are homosexuals. Egypt did not specify exactly how the tests are performed or how the doctor reaches a conclusion. The prosecutor promised a quick investigation because “the images were ‘humiliating, regrettable and would anger God.'” The office said they are still looking for two other men.
Egypt’s past is littered with investigations against homosexuality, which outraged human rights organizations and the West. In 2001, police arrested 52 men after a raid on a disco boat called the Queen Boat. Egypt sent four men to prison under anti-debauchery laws back in April.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.