Gays hold hands/FILE
Philip Mubiana and James Mwape, both in their early 20s, had been held since May last year and faced 15 years or more in jail for having sexual relations “against the order of nature”.
The pair’s lawyer William Ngwira said it was a “welcome” ruling, but added: “We are only sad that our clients have been in detention for over a year.”
The case had drawn the attention of rights groups and foreign governments, concerned that Zambia may be toughening its stance on gay rights following stricter new laws in Uganda and elsewhere in Africa.
In February, another Zambian magistrate acquitted top gay rights activist Paul Kasonkomona on charges of encouraging homosexuality after concluding that the prosecution failed to prove its case.
“The case should send a message to police, prosecutors and communities that it is not acceptable to witch-hunt people,” said Anneke Meerkotter, a lawyer at the Southern Africa Litigation Centre.
“Actions driven by stigma and prejudice can cause immense suffering, not just of the people who were arrested, but also of their families.”
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