Malawi gay couple freed after presidential pardon


In this photo taken Thursday May, 20, 2010 file photo,
Tiwonge Chimbalanga, foreground, and Steven Monjeza, left back, are led from
court in Blantyre, Malawi, after a judge sentenced the couple to the maximum 14
years in prison for unnatural acts and gross indecency under Malawi's anti-gay
legislation. Malawi's president says he has pardoned and ordered the release of
the two Saturday May 29, 2010. (AP Photo/Alex Ntonya, File)
A prison spokesman in Malawi says a gay couple pardoned by the president has
been released.
Evance Phiri said Sunday that Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza were
released late Saturday, hours after President Bingu wa Mutharika pardoned them
without condition. Mutharika stressed that homosexuality remains illegal in the
conservative southern African country.
It was not clear where the men went after their release. They were not at their
Blantyre home when an Associated Press reporter visited Sunday.
Malawi had faced international condemnation for the conviction and 14-year
sentence given to the two men, who were arrested in December, a day after
celebrating their engagement.
Malawi is among 37 African countries with anti-gay laws.

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