Amnesty Calls for Release of Malawi Couple

Amnesty International on Wednesday called for the release of a gay married couple in Malawi, saying their imprisonment is a violation of the men's "freedom of conscience, expression, and privacy," The New York Times reports. Homosexuality is illegal in the southern African country.

The men, Steve Mojeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, were arrested on charges of public indecency after holding a marriage ceremony on December 26. They were denied bail on Monday.

"Amnesty International considers individuals imprisoned solely for their consensual sexual relationship in private as prisoners of conscience and calls for their immediate and unconditional release," the group said in a statement.

Amnesty also criticized what it said were attempts to conduct physical examinations of the men to prove that they had sexual intercourse.

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