Malawi president pardons gay couple after UN pressure
President Bingu wa Mutharika of Malawi has pardoned a homosexual couple who had been jailed for 14 years, reports The Telegraph.
Mr wa Mutharika had been under international pressure to reconsider the convictions of Steven Monjeza, 26, and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, 20. They were arrested in December after they were united in a traditional wedding ceremony in the conservative southern African country, where homosexuality is illegal.
Mr wa Mutharika said: “These boys committed a crime against our culture, our religion and our laws .. however, as the head of state I hereby pardon them and therefore ask for their immediate release with no conditions.”
His decision will be seen as a victory by campaigners who had challenged the conviction and length of the sentence.
