Senegal: Local Celebrities Among 71 Men Arrested for Gay S*x Under New ‘Unnatural Acts’ Law

Judicial authorities in Senegal have ordered 71 men to stand trial on charges of "unnatural acts" and criminal conspiracy, marking a key development in an ongoing nationwide crackdown on consensual same-s*x relations.

An investigating judge at the Pikine-Guédiawaye District Court issued the ruling on August 7 following an extensive investigation into 99 men who were initially detained. According to court filings, the prosecutor’s office dismissed charges against 28 of the defendants due to a lack of evidence or because the statute of limitations had expired. However, enforcement of the releases remains temporarily suspended pending an appeal by the public prosecutor to the Dakar Court of Appeals. Gay Sex in Singapore: Sex Between Men Decriminalised in Island Nation by Repealing Colonial-Era Law.

The initial charges against the group encompassed a wide range of allegations, including criminal conspiracy, money laundering, and the deliberate transmission of HIV. While prosecutors provisionally dropped the HIV transmission charges following judicial review, the remaining 71 defendants still face severe penalties under Senegal’s penal code.

The proceedings follow a significant tightening of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation passed by the Senegalese parliament earlier this year. In March, lawmakers overwhelmingly approved a bill doubling the maximum prison sentence for same-sex intimacy from five to ten years and increasing fines up to 10 million CFA francs (approximately $17,600). The legislation also introduced prison terms of three to seven years for individuals convicted of "glorifying" or financially supporting same-sex relationships. Noida: Gang Offers Sex to Gay Men, Record Obscene Videos and Extort Money From Them; 3 Arrested (Watch Video).

The crackdown has escalated sharply over recent months, with law enforcement agencies carrying out dozens of arrests across the country. Human rights organizations report that police operations have frequently relied on digital searches of personal devices, public accusations, and mandatory HIV testing, sparking widespread concern from international rights groups regarding civil liberties and due process in the West African nation.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 11, 2026 05:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).