Malawi Man Arrested in Antigay Sweep

Police in Malawi arrested a man Monday in what authorities call a sweep of gay people in the conservative southern African country.

According to the Associated Press, "Police spokesman Dave Chingwalu said the 60-year-old man arrested Monday has been charged with sodomy. Chingwalu said he received a complaint from a young man that he had been asked to undress by the 60-year-old, and was then sodomized.

"Chingwalu said police investigations have uncovered a network of high-profile people who are involved homosexual acts. He said investigations are under way 'and we will arrest them all.'"

The arrest comes as Malawi is under international criticism for the prosecution of a gay couple, Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalangaa, who celebrated their engagement in December.

Other recent incidents also spark concern, according to the AP.

"A 21-year-old man was recently sentenced to two months of community service after being caught pasting pro-gay rights posters, and a senior minister expelled a woman from her town even after a court acquitted her on charges of having sex with two girls."