IT GETS WORSE

Tanzania Police Arrest Woman Over Video of Same-Sex Kiss

The arrest is thought to mark the first time authorities have targeted a lesbian suspect.

Tanzanian police have arrested a woman after a video of her kissing another woman went viral, a senior official said Saturday. The widely shared video prompted outrage in the East African nation, where homosexuality is a criminal offense and having “carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature” can carry a life sentence. Geita police chief Mponjoli Mwabulambo told Reuters an investigation into the video was ongoing. The video that prompted the arrest reportedly showed the woman kissing and embracing another woman, who was shown presenting her with a ring. The arrest is thought to mark the first time police have taken action against a lesbian suspect in a recent crackdown on the LGBT community. The government has intensified its campaign against homosexuality since President John Magufuli came to power in 2015, conducting raids and vowing to expel activists who campaign for gay rights.