afrol News, 3 June - Two suspected gay Spanish tourists - Pere Joan, 56, and Juan Monpserratrusau, 54 - were arrested and detained by Gambian police in Kotu, 10 km from the capital Banjul.

The Spaniards were accused of attempting to woo local taxi drivers into homosexuality. The drivers agreed to the men's demands, but informed the police who later rounded them up at a tourist resort.

If found guilty, the men who could face up to 14 years in prison. They were reportedly receiving visits from the Spanish consul to The Gambia who assured them of his "full support."

Last month, Gambian President Yahya Jammeh ordered homosexuals to quit within 24 hours before he "cut off their heads." Jammeh also threatened to legislate "stricter laws than Iran" on homosexuality.

President Jammeh warned hotel and lodge owners against providing shelter to homosexuals on the pretext that homosexuality must not be condoned in his country of "believers and civilized people."

Mr Jammeh's statement has been widely welcomed in a predominantly Muslim nation, especially among religious scholars. He has however received bashing from gay and human rights activists who ordered him to withdraw the threats and guarantee the rights and security of gays and lesbians.

Economists feared the consequences of the arrest and detention on the West African country's economy. A huge chunk of the economy depends on the country's booming tourism industry, which also provides foreign exchange and employment.

In February, a number of Senegalese homosexuals escaped further persecution and fled to the neighbouring Gambia after they were arrested and detained for taking part in a "gay wedding" in the outskirts of the capital Dakar. Jammeh's fired threats have reportedly forced Senegalese homosexuals to flee to Mauritania.

By staff writer

© afrol News

Tweet

Printable version

On the Afrol News front page now

UN will not monitor human rights in Western Sahara afrol News - The US has backed down on its demand that UN peacekeepers in Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara also shall monitor the human rights situation after Moroccan sources threatened to scale down relations with Washington. Read more

Central African Republic

Central African Republic falling apart afrol News - One month after the rebel movement Séléka took over power in the Central African Republic, unrest is spreading in the country. The new leader lacks control of his forces, which continue looting and abusing civilians. Read more

Kenya

Kenyatta secures tight victory in Kenya afrol News - The official election results in Kenya have finally been announced, and Uhuru Kenyatta managed to win the first poll round outright with a narrow 50.7 percent. But the main opponent, PM Raila Odinga, is filing a vote rigging complaint to the courts. Read more

Cape Verde Cape Verde to produce dragon fruit afrol News - Cape Verde authorities have invested large sums to diversify the arid country's agricultural sector. Now, the dragon fruit, originating in tropical America, is being introduced for the first commercial production in Africa. Read more

Egypt Even governors in Pharaonic Egypt died in their 20s afrol News - Researchers have analysed more than 200 mummies from ancient Egypt, finding that even high dignitaries were poorly nourished and had infectious diseases. The typical governor in Pharaonic Egypt died before he was 30 years old. Read more