Dance charges dropped

Published on 02/08/2012 00:00

A COURT in Gambia has dropped charges against 18 men and two women who were arrested in April and charged 
with indecency after a dance 
ceremony for tourists.

Director of public prosecution SH Barkun submitted an 
application yesterday to withdraw the case.

Presiding magistrate Sheriff Tabally granted the application and then dismissed all charges.

Prosecutors charged the defendants with “unnatural offences” for organising a dance ceremony for gays. They all pleaded not guilty.

The criminal charge is applied towards people who are accused of taking part in homosexual acts in Gambia.

In 2008, president Yahya 
Jammeh told gays and lesbians to leave the country or have their heads cut off.

Gays and lesbians have faced threats of violence and discrimination in countries across the continent.