Niger arrests at least 16 for same-sex sexual acts, judicial source says

NIAMEY, July 1 - The West African country of Niger has arrested at least 16 people after introducing prison sentences and fines for same-sex sexual acts, a judicial source told Reuters.

• The source said that high-ranking officials working for customs and police forces as well as several civilians had been arrested.

• "The operation is ongoing. It will target certain facilities where people of the same sex live together," the source said, referring to army barracks and college campuses.

• According to the document seen by Reuters, people found to be in a same-sex marriage could receive prison sentences of 10 to 20 years.

• People operating LGBTQ organisations will be fined 50 million to 500 million CFA francs, the document says.

• West African countries including Senegal and Burkina Faso have passed anti-LGBTQ legislation in recent months. In Niger, the law previously banned same-sex marriage but did not include penalties for same-sex relations.($1 = 569.2500 CFA francs) REUTERS