3 sentenced in Cameroon for being gay

Three men convicted of homosexuality — a crime in Cameroon — were sentenced to six months' hard labor, their lawyer said Wednesday.

Lazare Baeeg, Emmanuel Balep and Tony Dikongue were arrested last August and have already spent nearly six months in detention in the port city of Douala, lawyer Alice Nkom said.

In Cameroon and several other African nations, homosexuality is a crime. Convictions carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a fine of up to $450.

Nkom said she would appeal the convictions and sentences.

"None of these people were caught in homosexual act, so the court cannot condemn them for something they never did," she said.

Nkom said all three "have already suffered innocently so they need to be released, since they have already spent nearly six months in prison cells without trial."