AXA AFR
CAMEROON-GAYS
LIBREVILLE March 16 Sapa-AFP
CAMEROON MEN APPEAL JAIL SENTENCE FOR GAY SEX
Two men sentenced to five years in prison in Cameroon for engaging in gay sex appeared in court for their appeal hearing on Friday, and were jeered as they were driven back to prison.
The lawyer for the two men, identified as Jonas and Franky, called for their release.
"They will present guarantees to assure you that they will respond regularly to summons from the court," Michel Togue said at the appeals court in Yaounde, the Cameroonian capital.
The two men, jeered by a crowd outside, were driven back to prison.
"There is prejudice here," the lawyer said.
The judge adjourned the case to April 20 to consider the call for their release.
The pair and another man were sentenced to five years in jail in November and ordered to pay a 300-euro ($395) fine. The third man was not present during the trial in November and did not figure in the appeal hearing on Friday.
Two women on trial for having intercourse with a person of the same sex pleaded not guilty Thursday as their lawyers sought an annulment over alleged rights abuses.
Sapa-AFP
/ma 03/16/12 19-21