Actor Jailed In Turkmenistan For Being Gay

A high-profile actor has been jailed in Turkmenistan for being gay under the country’s anti-homosexuality laws. Same-sex relations between men are illegal in Turkmenistan and repeat offenders could face up to ten years in prison.

The unmanned actor was found guilty of committing “sodomy” and has been sentenced to two years in prison. Alongside the actor, identified as G.S. in court documents, a dozen other men were convicted.

As ‘Out In Perth’ reports, international advocacy organisation Human Rights Watch are advocating against the sentencing and the criminalisation of homosexuality.

“In 2017, the United Nations Human Rights Committee flagged criminalisation of consensual same-sex conduct as ‘unjustifiable’ and urged the Turkmen government to repeal it,” Human Rights Watch said in a statement.

“This blatantly discriminatory law, that violates Turkmenistan’s international human rights obligations, enables police to subject gay and bisexual men to harassment, including with the purpose of extortion, humiliation and abuse.”

“Turkmenistan should also repeal article 135 of the criminal code and protect people from violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation.”

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