Seven men were arrested for engaging in homosexual activity in Cameroon yesterday, after a police raid on a house where the men were gathered.

Neighbours tipped off police to the whereabouts of the men, and claimed that they were involved prostitution. After following the group for some time, police waited until the men were gathered in the residence and broke down the door to find them engaging in homosexual acts.

The owner of the house evaded arrest by escaping on foot, but seven others were charged with gay sex, prostitution and pimping. These are the first arrests of this kind in over seven months. All the men involved have previously served time at Yaoundé Central Prison in the capital on similar charges.

The police officer in charge of the case, Donatus Sembe, said that their release would not be negotiated,adding, “Lesbians, gay men, men who sleep with men, women who sleep with women, men who act that way — all that is illegal. These are people who are controlled by an evil spirit.”

Cameroon punishes people who engage in gay sex with up to five years in prison.