Egypt Sentences Boy for Homosexuality

by Associated Press from Los Angeles Times

September 19, 2001

CAIRO -- A 15-year-old boy was sentenced Tuesday to three years in prison for practicing homosexuality, the first verdict in Egypt's mass gay trial that has drawn wide condemnation.

The youth, who was found guilty of homosexuality and debauchery, will serve his sentence in a prison for young offenders, a juvenile court ordered.

The youth screamed and sobbed as the verdict was read. The court said he underwent a medical examination proved he had committed debauchery. Gasser Abdel Razek, an Egyptian human rights activist, said the ruling was "alarming [because] I believe it is based on what the judge thinks is socially acceptable or rejected, which ruins the whole concept of the rule of law."

The teenager was arrested May 11 along with 51 other males aboard a Nile riverboat restaurant in Cairo.

The trial of the 51 other defendants, which is being conducted in an emergency state security court, is expected to resume today. They have all pleaded not guilty.

The court said it ordered the maximum penalty after the youth confessed to practicing homosexuality and being a member of a gay organization. Defense lawyers earlier disputed confessions of some of the defendants, saying they were made under duress during interrogation.

Debauchery carries a maximum prison sentence of three years.

The court said the 15-year-old will remain under police supervision for three years after his release from jail.

International gay and human rights groups have condemned the charges. The case has rocked Egypt, a conservative, Islamic-oriented country.

A PERSONAL OBSERVATION

We often complain, cry or carry on about so much that is truly trivial, imagine what it's like living in this type of society. Perhaps if you have a spare moment you will consider a prayer for this unknown 15 year old and all those like him who are being persecuted for just being who they are. Considering the fact that of the Conservative Islamic orientated countries Egypt is considered one of the more liberal and is actually somewhat secular, I guess it actually could have been worse, if any of the adults arrested were convicted in Saudi Arabia, THEY WOULD BE BEHEADED. In Afghanistan they would be hung or shot as would the 15 year old. One does have to give Saudi Arabia credit in that the imposition of their form of justice is seemingly equal for all. Some years ago they chopped off the head of a Saudi Princess and her male lover for adultery.