Trial in Malawi to begin. Love mocked. Prison Likely.

This image (thanks to towleroad) of two lovers mocked on their way to their trial pretty much says it all.

" Anyone convicted of violating the ban on homosexuality could face a prison sentence of up to 14 years. The couple's defence team argued in court Monday that their arrest on the basis of their perceived sexual orientation 'amounts to discrimination, a violation of their rights to freedom of expression, conscience and expression as enshrined in our republican constitution.'

"Our prayer is for a constitutional review of the laws in the penal code that criminalise homosexuality in the country and are inconsistent with the constitution," lawyer Noel Supedi told a packed court.

Chief resident magistrate Nyakwawa Usiwausiwa, presiding over a case that has generated widespread public debate in the country, agreed with the plea for a constitutional review but ruled the case could be moved to the constitutional court only with the consent of the chief justice."

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