Malawi police arrest 2 gay men on indecency charges after engagement ceremony

Malawi police arrest 2 men for engagement ceremony

BLANTYRE, MALAWI — Officials in Malawi say they have arrested two men for celebrating their engagement to each other in the conservative southern African country.

Attorney General Jane Ansah says the men were charged with indecency. Those convicted under the law can get five to 14 years in jail. Police say Blantyre residents Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga were arrested Monday after their engagement ceremony the previous Saturday, which attracted many onlookers. Human rights activist Gift Trapence says they will appear in court on Monday and that his group will attempt to seek bail before that.

In Africa, only South Africa has legalized same-sex marriage. Uganda will soon debate a proposed law that would impose the death penalty on some gays.