Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza, the Malawian couple arrested and charged with
"gross indecency" following an engagement ceremony at a Blantyre lodge, have lost their bail appeal:
"The pair, believed to be the first gay couple in Malawi to start the process of getting married, pleaded not guilty to the charges last week.
Homosexual acts carry a maximum prison sentence of 14 years in Malawi.
Prosecutors have said they would send the pair to hospital to prove they have had sex together but their lawyers say he will resist this…At their court appearance last week, Mr Monjeza, 26, hinted that he may consider calling off the proposed wedding, as he was sent back to prison. 'I am sad I am going back to Chichiri Prison,' he said.' The conditions are terrible there. People are exaggerating this thing. I may just as well dissolve this marriage.'
Mr Chimbalanga, 20, dressed in women's clothes, refused to speak to journalists, beyond accusing them of writing "stupid" things."
Recently…
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