Police raid gay bar and movie theatre in Cameroon

Police have arrested 25 men in the African country of Cameroon on suspicion of homosexuality. Seven were arrested in Mistral, a gay bar in Yaounde, and a further 18 were arrested in a nearby gay movie theatre. Homosexuality in Cameroon is punishable by up to five years in prison.

The suspects were reportedly kept overnight with no food or water: “We were interrogated several times,” said one of the suspects. “Despite threats by the police, we kept our cool. We were brutalized and then we were released.”

Two were initially released that night with the other 23 facing court as well as additional charges of narcotics possession. Local activists and lawyers managed to have the charges dropped for the remaining men.

Police Commander Parfait Nana said: “Personally, I do not judge anyone and do not condemn anyone on the basis of their sexual orientation. However, Cameroon has laws to enforce.”

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