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 "The court has ruled that all the accused are innocent," the judge
said.
Though homosexuality is not specifically outlawed in Egypt,
discrimination is rife. Gay men are frequently arrested and
typically accused of debauchery, immorality or blasphemy.
A pro-government television station showed video of police dragging
the half-naked men out of the bath house last month. They were
subsequently charged with debauchery.
Covering their faces with sweaters or hats, they were marched into
the courtroom on Monday, a police officer kicking one and urging
them to hurry as they approached a cage used to hold defendants
during court sessions.
 Highlighting sensitivities in Egypt, a conservative Arab state,
people in the court exploded in anger when a journalist took a
picture of the men. Someone tried to choke the photographer.
The most recent case to make headlines saw eight men sentenced to
three years in jail in November after they appeared in an online
video purporting to show the country's first gay marriage ceremony.
[to top of second column] |
The largest crackdown on homosexuals in Egypt took place in 2001,
when police raided a floating disco called the Queen Boat. Fifty-two
men were tried in the case, which drew widespread criticism from
human rights groups and Western governments.
(Reporting by Shadi Bushra; Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by
Crispian Balmer)
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