A 53-year-old Zambian farmer and a 17-year-old student appeared in court in Lusaka yesterday, accused of violating Zambia’s anti-homosexuality laws.
Two defendants in anti-homosexuality case hide their faces during court appearance in Lusaka, Zambia, on July 24. (Photo courtesy of Muvi TV)
The Lusaka Times reported that the farmer, identified as Douglas Quentin Watt, and a 17-year-old Grade 12 pupil were “allegedly found by the police officers at a named lodge in Lusaka taking pictures and videos of themselves, which materials are in the custody of the state.”
They were arrested after an employee of the lodge complained to authorities.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges of “unnatural offenses” involving “carnal knowledge.” They were released on bail, pending the scheduled start of the trial on Aug. 6.
Bail for Watt was set at K10,000 (about U.S. $775); for the student, the bail is K5,000 (about $388).
In Zambia, the penalty for “unnatural offenses” is imprisonment for 15 years to life.
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Related article:
- Zambian court convicts two men for gay sex (August 2018)
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