RR Phantom
Location : Wasted Space Job/hobbies : Cayman Islands Actuary
| Subject: Rights violation: After destroying their lives, Egypt clears 26 men of 'debauchery' after televised raid on Cairo bathhouse Mon Jan 12, 2015 8:59 pm | |
| An Egyptian court on Monday acquitted 26 men on charges of "debauchery" – a term commonly used here as code for homosexual acts – but only after they had endured public humiliation, weeks in jail and, in at least three cases, apparent sexual assault while in custody.
The acquittals were welcomed by the men's supporters, but the case was held up as an example of an increasingly hostile climate toward gay people under Egypt's authoritarian government. Although homosexuality is not technically illegal, dozens of people have been prosecuted in recent months for alleged acts such as public lewdness or habitual indecency that are generally invoked when gays are targeted.
Particularly disturbing to many was the fact that the men's arrests were instigated by a reporter for a pro-government television channel, who informed authorities that gay orgies were taking place at a well-known Cairo bathhouse.
The reporter, Mona Iraqi, was on hand with a camera crew when the raid took place and provided gleeful commentary as the frightened detainees were dragged away half-naked, trying to hide their faces. She claimed that she was carrying out an investigation meant to stem the spread of AIDS.
http://www.smh.com.au/world/egypt-clears-26-men-of-debauchery-after-televised-raid-on-cairo-bathhouse-20150112-12mt55.html |
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