Gay couple arrested over ‘pornographic’ Facebook photos

Authorities arrested the men after they declared their love for each other online.

A gay couple were arrested in Indonesia earlier this week, after they posted photos on Facebook showing them kissing in bed.

In the photos the two men – from the country’s North Sulawesi province – are seen kissing each other whilst topless.

The caption on the photo reads: “With my dear lover tonight. May our love last forever.”

However, the touching moment was ruined after authorities detained the pair – aged 22 and 24 – claiming the image was pornographic.

Local police released a statement confirming they had arrested the pair after reports of “LGBT pornography in the form of two men canoodling.”

They could face up to seven years in jail if found guilty of posting lewd materials online, according to About Croatia.

Homosexuality has never been illegal in the Islamic country, but attitudes towards LGBT people have become steadily more extreme in recent years despite a growing gay population.

Last month, it was announced that the country’s government will clamp down on gay culture – instituting a new ban on internet “gay propaganda” after a request from the police.

Communications ministry spokesman Noor Iza confirmed that apps including Grindr, Blued and BoyAhoy would be blocked in the country, claiming they were “promoting gay lifestyles”.

Opponents of LGBT rights in the country claim the apps harbour an online paedophile ring – but advocates say they are using the issue as a Trojan horse to enforce homophobic censorship.

Iza said the country was “starting to block LGBT applications” that promote “sexual deviancy”.

In August, a spokesperson for the president of Indonesia said that the country has “no room” for the LGBT community.

• Nov 29 2023

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