Editor jailed over 'gay' list
2006-03-27 13:47
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Yaounde - A newspaper publisher in Cameroon has been sentenced to two prison terms of six months each for publishing a list of alleged homosexuals, judicial sources said on Monday.
Nouvelle Afrique (New Africa) publisher Biloa Ayissi was convicted for defaming doctor Jean-Pierre Mayo and government Minister Gregoire Owona who were included in the list published earlier this year.
He was also fined four million CFA francs, or about $7 000.
Ayissi is the second publisher to be convicted for defamation in Cameroon since several journals printed lists of alleged homosexuals including government ministers, artists and Church dignitaries.
Cameroonian law provides for prison terms of between six months and five years and fines of up to 200 000 CFA francs for homosexual practices.
Ayissi said he plans to appeal.
- AFP