Cameroon Man Receives Maximum 5 Years Prison Sentence for, Alleged, Homosexual Acts

Human rights activists based in Cameroon advised that on May 13, 2013 Benoit K. a 27-year old Cameroonian man, was tortured and beaten by a local family who accused him of ‘encouraging their son into homosexuality.’ He spent two weeks in police custody and a further two weeks on bail, due to appear in court on July 9. Benoit K. has (as of July 9) been sentenced to a 5 year prison sentence. Cameroon activists have highlighted that the sentence is based on denunciations, rather than evidence.

A Press Release from Cameroon LGBT group, Alternatives-Cameroon, now follows:

Press Release 09/07/2013

Homosexuality in Cameroon: maximum penalty for Benoit K.

Benoit K. was given a sentence of five (05) years of suspended and a fine of 140,000 CFA ($ 280) during the trial of Tuesday the 09th of July 2013 at the Court of Kribi-Cameroon.
Background
On Monday the 13th May 2013, Benoit K. 27 years old and an employee in a hotel in Kribi, was victim of an ambush by the family of a young man of 21 year old who accused him to encourage their son in homosexuality. After being Tortured and beaten by this family, Benoit K. was taken to the Police Station of Kribi where he was imprisoned for homosexuality. After two weeks in custody, Benoit K. was finally taken to the prosecutor who agreed to give him a bail through a signature of a guarantor. Last 25th June 2013, the judge accepted to postpone the trial on Tuesday 09th of July 2013 due to the lack of legal assistance.
This Tuesday 09th of July 2013, the judge him a sentenced him of 05 five years of suspended and a fine of 140,000 FCFA ($280). 40,000 FCFA ($80) to be pay immediately before being release and the rest payable during the 04 others years (25 000 FCFA-$50-per year).
Alternatives-Cameroon:
– Condemns a sentence based on a lack of evidence.
– Regrets that Cameroonians are still being sentenced on the basis of denunciation.
– Finally calls Cameroonian authorities to repeal Article the 347 bis which penalizes sex between people of the same sex in Cameroon
Persons to Contact:
Yves Yomb: +237 98 48 26 14
Simon Biatch: +237 74 64 51 12

For further information see:

http://76crimes.com/2013/07/10/cameroons-latest-lgbt-sentence-5-years-suspended/
http://76crimes.com/2003/07/10/homosexualite-au-cameroun-verdict-de-5-ans-avec-sursis/