A Swedish man holidaying in Tunisia has been handed a two-year prison sentence after being convicted of partaking in homosexual acts, something that is illegal in the North African country.
The Swedish Foreign Ministry has reacted angrily to the ruling, with spokeswoman Victoria Bell stating that Sweden believed equal rights was a “fundamental principle of democracy”, regardless of a person’s sexual orientation. She added that the man, in his 50s, received his two-year sentence on 4 February.
Homosexuality is against the law in Tunisia, where anyone found guilty can be jailed for up to three years. Tunisia has confirmed the Swede has been jailed but declined to give any further comment. The man, who resides in France, is reported to have appealed his sentence.
Tunisian human rights organisation ATSM has condemned the man’s sentence and urged the relevant authorities to change the law. Spokesperson Yamina Thabet described it as an “infringement upon freedom”, adding that the group wants to see homosexuality decriminalised.