This is just horrible and completely unjust. A 32-year-old man by the name of Jean-Claude Roger Mbede was sentenced to 3 years in prison back in 2011, all because he sent out a simple text to a man professing his love for him. The issue at hand is that he lives in Cameroon, Africa, and in that particular country homosexual activity or suspected homosexual activity is illegal, according to the Associated Press.
Even though this would be seen as completely absurd and unacceptable in the United States, Mr. Mbede was eventually arrested on suspicion of homosexuality, and after the authorities searched through his phone, they were able to confirm those suspicions. He was then sent to prison for 3 years - this happened back in 2011 - and after 18 months of incarceration his lawyer attempted to appeal the case, but it was sadly dismissed, and Mbede has been forced to serve out his full 3 year sentence.
He spoke to the Associated Press about how upset and nervous he is about remaining behind bars for that long due to the mistreatment he's been facing from other inmates as well as from correction officers. Mbede is outraged at the fact that the judicial system in his country is so unfair.
"I am not sure I can put up with the anti-gay attacks and harassment I underwent at the hands of fellow inmates and prison authorities on account of my perceived and unproven sexual orientation. The justice system in this country is just so unfair."
The text in question that has landed him behind bars until 2014 is as innocent as it could have been in terms of practicing homosexual activities:
"I am very much in love with you," Mbede wrote to another man.
Source: news.cnet.com
