SYRIA RELEASES GAY MEN

Syrian authorities have reportedly released more than 25 men who were held by police for three months after they were arrested in raids on private gay parties in March and April.

According to Gaymiddleeast.com, the men were told by the secret police that they not “tolerate any future gay parties”.

The website said that the men were released and sent home without being tried because of media attention around the case which caused the government some embarrassment.

The site’s sources noted that the men were not out of harm’s way as their families were informed about their “offences”, which could put them in physical danger.

Homosexuality is illegal in Syria, with penalties of up to three years in prison.