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 official gazette dated March 27 says that sexual relations with a person of the same sex are punishable by prison terms of five to 10 years and fines of 10 million to 100 million CFA francs ($18,000 to $180,000).
“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.
A government spokesperson did not reply to a request for comment.
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.
