Gay Rights Activists Freed in Zimbabwe

Two Zimbabwe gay rights activists were released from custody Thursday. When Ellen Chadian and Ignatius Muhambi go to trial next month, they face imprisonment or a fine for charges of possessing pornographic material and insulting President Robert Mugabe.

According to the BBC, magistrate Munamate Mutevedzi released Chadian and Muhambi, who work with the organization Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe, on $200 bail each. Their trial is set for June 10.

"The initial charges are that they were found in possession of pornographic material," said their attorney, Dzimbabwe Chimbga, according to the BBC. "Now the police want to add a charge of insulting the president."

Homosexual acts are illegal in Zimbabwe but Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe has been allowed to operate freely.