Malawi Couple Pardoned by President

President Bingu of Malawi has pardoned the couple, Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, who were recently sentenced to 14 years hard labour on charges of homosexuality.

Peter Tatchell, the British human rights campaigner who has championed Steven and Tiwonge's case and support them personally, arranging prison visits, food parcels and medicine, said

"Our thanks to president Bingu and Ban Ki Moon for ending this terrible injustice. Steven and Tiwonge should never have been arrested, let alone jailed for five months, convicted and sentenced to 14 years hard labour. They love one another and have harmed no one.

On Saturday, several protest took place around the world against the sentence. At the time at which president Bingu's decision was being made public, about 250 people were facing the rain outside the Malawi High Commission in London. Pictures of the event are available on flickr here.