Africa
15:22, 22-Jan-2019
Egyptian TV presenter jailed for interviewing gay sex worker
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An Egyptian TV presenter has been sentenced to one year of hard labor for interviewing a gay sex worker on his show last August.
Mohammed el-Gheiti was found guilty of "promoting homosexuality" on his privately owned TV channel and fined 3,000 Egyptian pounds (167 U.S. dollars)
El-Gheiti, who can appeal the ruling, is free pending a final verdict. AP reported that the charges stem from a complaint filed by a private lawyer, and the TV host had expressed views against homosexuality in the past.
Homosexuality is not explicitly criminalized in Egypt but is seen as taboo in the conservative and Muslim-majority country.
In recent years, authorities have increasingly cracked down on perceived homosexuality, imprisoning people on charges of "debauchery" or immorality.
In September 2017, authorities arrested dozens of people after several waved an LGBT rainbow flag at a Cairo concert.
Since then, the media council in Egypt has banned homosexuals from appearing on any media outlets.
(With inputs from agencies)
(Cover photo: Eight people sentenced to three years in jail after joining a gay wedding ceremony are seen behind the bars in Cairo, November 1, 2014./VCG Photo. /VCG Photo)