Police say Malawi man arrested in what they describe as a sweep against homosexuals

Police say Malawi man arrested in anti-gay sweep

BLANTYRE, Malawi — Police in Malawi say they’ve arrested a man in a sweep directed at homosexuals.

There’s debate over gay rights in this conservative country, sparked by the trial of a gay couple charged with unnatural acts and gross indecency — felonies for which they could be imprisoned up to 14 years.

Police spokesman Dave Chingwalu said the 60-year-old man arrested Monday was charged with sodomy.

The hunt, arrests and prosecution of homosexuals comes amid a growing local and international campaign for Malawi to “go easy” on gays and lesbians.

A 21-year-old man was recently sentenced to two months’ community service for posting pro-gay rights posters, and a senior minister expelled a woman from her town although she was acquitted of having sex with two girls.