马拉维同性恋情侣“分手”

A gay couple who were jailed in Malawi have split after one of them moved in with a woman, according to reports.

据报道称，马拉维一对被监禁的同性恋情侣已“分手”，因其中一人与一名女子同居。

The pair were convicted under a law dating back to British colonial rule

Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga were sentenced to 14 years' hard labour in May, then freed following international condemnation¹（谴责） .

But Monjeza told Malawi's Nation newspaper that he had been coerced²（强迫，迫使） into the gay relationship, and was now with a woman named Dorothy Gulo.

When freed last month, they were taken separately to their home villages.

'Star-crossed lovers'

The pair were warned they faced re-arrest if they continued their relationship.

Ms Gulo was also interviewed by the newspaper and said: "I'd heard about men getting involved in a sexual relationship. I was curious so I accepted him."

Asked about Monjeza's former partner, she told the Nation: "I'm scared he is going to beat me up."

Human rights advocate（提倡者，支持者） Peter Tatchell, who campaigned for Chimbalanga and Monjeza's release, said anti-gay pressure had split the "star-crossed lovers".

"It is a tragedy that homophobic（害怕同性恋的） threats and abuse have forced this couple apart," he said. "They were deeply in love. The pressure has got to Steven."

There was condemnation from around the world for Malawi's anti-homosexuality laws after the pair were jailed for "gross（粗野的，恶劣的） indecency（猥亵，下流） and unnatural³ acts".

Under pressure from donor⁴ countries, Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika granted them a pardon, citing humanitarian⁵ grounds.

His announcement followed a meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who praised the decision as courageous⁶.

However, President Mutharika was recently reported as saying Mr Chimbalanga, 20, and 26-year-old Mr Monjeza's acts were disgusting.

The pair had been held in custody⁷（扣押） since their arrest in December last year, a day after they held a traditional engagement ceremony.

They were convicted of engaging in gay sex under a law dating back to colonial rule by Britain.