Libyan men detained by extremist militia, reportedly for being gay
An Islamist militia has released 12 allegedly gay men whom it arrested last week, the Libya Herald reports.
Their release was unexpected, since a previous article had stated that the men would be turned over to the Ministry of Justice. The latest article stated:
The Nawasi brigade has released 12 men arrested at a birthday party one week ago.
The men, all of whom are homosexual, were picked up at a farm in Ain Zara after the brigade, Tripoli’s largest Islamist militia, spotted one of the men dressed as a woman and raided the building.
It is alleged that the men have had their heads shaved and received marks to their backs and legs whilst in custody.
Shortly after the arrests, the militia had threatened to execute the men.
Under Libyan law, homosexual activity is punishable by a prison sentence of up to five years.
Related articles
- Nawasi brigade releases 12 gay men one week after arrest (Libya Herald, Nov. 29)
- Rosier outlook for 12 Libyans jailed after militia’s gay raid (Erasing 76 Crimes, Nov. 27)
- Nawasi brigade pledges to hand arrested ‘homosexuals’ over to Ministry of Justice (Libya Herald, Nov. 27)
- Extremists threaten mutilation and death for seized ‘homosexuals’ (Libya Herald, Nov. 26)
- Twelve men to be executed by Libyan militia for allegedly being gay (Gay Star News, Nov. 25)
- Coverage of Middle East/North Africa in the Erasing 76 Crimes blog
