Burundi: 24 people arrested in crackdown on "homosexual practices"

Twenty-four people have been arrested in Burundi as part of government's security crackdown on "homosexual practices", a judicial source and an activist says.

The arrests, according to the source, took place on February 23 this year in Gitega, the county's political capital.

"They are accused of homosexual practices and of inciting homosexual practices among adolescent boys and girls to whom they give money," the activist said, as reported by AFP, adding, "there is not a shred of evidence for these serious accusations."

Confirming the arrests, Gitega Province Governor Venant Manirambona said the people were arrested but he could not comment on the case that "is still under judicial investigation."

The arrests happened when members of MUCO Burundi, a non-profit organisation that focuses on HIV/AIDS, were attending a seminar. 

Must be treated as pariahs

Police apparently found condoms and documents on the rights of homosexuals at the scene.

Homosexuality is illegal in Burundi, with President Evariste Ndayishimiye on Wednesday, March 1 urging citizens to help in rooting out homosexuality in the country.

"I ask all Burundians to curse those who indulge in homosexuality because God cannot bear it. They must be banished, treated as pariahs in our country," he said.