A Senegalese Court has jailed two individuals for “spreading false news” after they criticised the country’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko for complacency towards LGBTQ issues.
Activist Bah Diakhate and Imam Cheikh Ahmed Tidiane Ndao were sentenced to three months and fined 100,000 CFA francs ($165) each.
The duo were arrested two weeks ago after posting a video attacking Sonko for giving a platform to a French politician to express same-sex marriage views at a student forum.
French far-left politician Jean-Luc Melenchon’s comments reportedly “sparked boos from the audience at Cheikh Anta Diop University. In response Mr Sonko said that Western countries should show restraint on social matters such as LGBTQ rights as it could ‘lead to anti-Western sentiment’,” the BBC said.
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But then he is also quoted as saying further that homosexuality was “not accepted, but tolerated” in Senegal – a comment that drew criticism from religious leaders and activists.
In Senegals’ predominately Muslim society, homosexuality is prohibited and punishable by a penalty of up to five years in prison.
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