Tanzania arrests 12 suspected of promoting homosexuality

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania – Tanzanian police say they are holding 12 men, including two South Africans, for questioning over allegations of promoting homosexuality in this East African country.

Dar es Salaam Police Chief Lazaro Mambosasa said Thursday that authorities are gathering evidence and will arraign all the suspects in court to face criminal charges. He said the suspects include two South Africans, a Ugandan and nine Tanzanians

The men were arrested at a hotel in the port city of Dar es Salaam.

Homosexuality is criminalized in Tanzania under a colonial-era law banning sex acts “against order of nature.”

Tanzanian authorities have recently ramped up a crackdown on the activities of LGBT people, even ordering clinics to stop offering services to homosexuals.