Source: The Point (Banjul, Gambia), Afrik.com, Associated Press via IHT
Police in Gambia arrested two Spanish men last Friday for allegedly making what press reports call "homosexual proposals" to taxi drivers.

Pere Joan, 56, and Juan Monpserratrusau, 54, were held at Kotu police station, Gambia's The Point newspaper reported.

The arrests comes against the backdrop of the pronouncements of President Yahya Jammeh last month in which he condemned homosexuality as a menace in the country, and issued an ultimatum for any gay people in the country to leave within 24 hours.

related in Qnews: Gambia releases two gay Spaniards accused of soliciting sex

He declared that he would "cut off the head" of any homosexual found in the country and claimed that legislation will be introduced very soon that would be "stricter than those in Iran," with regards to such relationships.

The Spanish nationals were taken into custody Friday after the taxi drivers reported being solicited, police spokesman Sulayman Secka said. Associated Press reports that the spokesman declined to give further details on the incident or say when the men might be released.

The Point reported that the drivers alerted the police "while putting up a show of interest in the advances" of what the paper calls "the culprits." The paper reports that the Spaniards "were lured to a rendezvous" in an area where they were subsequently arrested.

Afrik.com, a African news site, reports that the Spanish men asked the taxi drivers to take them to where they could meet with gay men, saying they were willing to pay any amount.

Afrik's sources said the drivers asked the Spanish to wait while they went off "to search for homosexuals".

Instead, the taxi drivers decided to contact the police at the Kotu Police Station, who arrested the Spanish.

Homosexual sex is illegal in Gambia. Those convicted of consensual homosexual acts face jail terms of up to 14 years.

Jammeh said in a widely-publicized speech last month that Gambia is a country of "believers" and that such "sinful" and "immoral" practices as homosexuality would not be tolerated.

He also threatened to close down hotels that rent rooms to gays.

"We are in a Muslim-dominated country and I will not and shall never accept such individuals in this country," he said.

Jammeh’s statements were condemned by international gay rights activists but welcomed by Gambia’s Supreme Islamic Council, which said Jammeh had taken a "principled stand."

Full article: Two Alleged Homosexuals Arrested | The Point
Two Spanish caught in the Gambia after President called for the ... | Afrik.com
Gambia arrests two Spanish men for "homosexual proposals" | International Herald Tribune