YAOUNDE, Cameroon (AP) -- A court sentenced a publisher to prison for defamation Friday after his newspaper published the names of prominent alleged gays and lesbians in a case that has riveted this conservative West African nation.
Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga, publisher of the weekly L'Anecdote, was ordered to serve a four-month jail term and pay a fine of 1 million CFA francs (about $1,800 or 1,500 euros).
Belinga's three-week long hearing in the capital, Yaounda, drew thousands to the streets outside the courthouse, and his and other papers allegations of homosexuality in high places had become the center of a national debate, even prompting anti-gay demonstrations.
In January, Belinga's private, pro-government paper joined two others, Nouvelle d'Afrique and La Meteo, in publishing the names of nearly 100 prominent men and women they identified as gay and lesbian.
The list included musicians, religious figures, and business and government officials, including Cabinet ministers, a former prime minister and a Catholic bishop.
Among the most prominent of those named was former Prime Minister Peter Mafany Musonge, who sued Belinga and Nouvelle d'Afrique's publisher, whose trial continues. No one has filed charges against La Meteo.
Defense lawyer Ismael Bibibano Biock said he was discussing with his client the possibility of appealing the case.
Prosecuting attorney Emmanuel Mbiam welcomed the verdict, saying "this type of unprofessional journalism is condemned in Cameroon and other countries."
Homosexuality is forbidden under Cameroonian law, punishable by up to five years imprisonment or fines of up to 200,000 CFA francs ($360 or 300 euros).
Belinga was also ordered to publish the verdict in his newspaper and 25 other local and international media houses, or pay another fine.
The court in Yaounde was guarded by 50 paramilitary police troops, and mobs of anti-gay youths stood outside among the thousands of onlookers.
Also Friday in the southern city of Buea, security forces clashed with 200 anti-gay demonstrators, witnesses and security officials said. No injuries were reported.
