Jailed gay couple get pardon from Malawi president

A GAY couple from Malawi arrested and sentenced to 14 years in prison after they threw a lavish engagement party were freed from prison hours after receiving a presidential pardon, prison officials said.

Prison Service spokesman Evance Phiri said Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza were released late Saturday, hours after President Bingu wa Mutharika pardoned them without condition.

“We were asked to release them immediately,” Mr Phiri said, adding they were released around 9.20pm local time.