GAZA, EGPYT (CelebrityAccess) — An Egyptian television host has been sentenced to a year of hard labor after he interviewed a gay man on television.
According to the BBC, Mohamed al-Ghiety was charged in connection with an interview took place in August 2018 on the privately-owned LTC Egypt TV channel. During the interview, the man, whose identity was hidden, discussed his experiences as a sex worker with al-Ghiety, the BBC reported.
Following the interview, Prosecutor Samir Sabry, who has a reputation taking celebrities to court, filed a lawsuit against al-Ghiety. An Egyptian court ruled that the interview had promoted homosexuality and levied the year-long sentence against al-Ghiety, as well as a fine of 3,000 Egyptian pounds (about $170), the BBC reported
In addition to the jail term and fine, the court also ordered al-Ghiety to be put under surveillance for one year after serving his sentence, Mr. Sabry said.
While homosexuality is not expressly against the law in Egypt, the LGBTG community has been the focus of a crackdown in recent years. People suspected of engaging in homosexual behavior are often arrested on charges of “debauchery”, immorality or blasphemy.
