A senior Venezuelan diplomat has been arraigned in court in Nairobi, Kenya in connection with the killing of the acting ambassador. Dwight Sagaray, First Secretary at the embassy, was arrested on Saturday and will be held without charges for six days.
Venezuelan charge d'affaires and acting ambassador Olga Fonseca was strangled on Friday after she fired at least five male Kenyan staff members ... who complained to police about sexual assault and harassment by the previous ambassador.
Police are looking for another suspect in the murder and believe this was a power struggle, reports Nairobi's Capital FM.
Police are now looking for a Kenyan doctor in connection with the murder. On Tuesday, the police released pictures of the doctor named Muhammed Ahmed Mohammed Hassan whom they say has been mentioned in the probe of the envoy’s death. Investigations have shown the suspect is a close friend of Sagaray.
Two Guards who manned the gate of the slain Venezuelan ambassador Olga Fonseca were also charged with committing a felony for falling to prevent the envoys death. The two ... denied the charge and were released on a cash bail.
The previous envoy was Gerardo Carillo Silva, who quickly left the country last month as the Nairobi police began an investigation. Silva is accused of sexually assaulting, fondling, exposing himself and sexual harassing at least six male employees. Silva has diplomatic immunity and cannot be prosecuted under international law. The former staff members have said that Fonseca dismissed them after they refused to retract the claims against Silva.
Kenya's government is considered progressive on gay rights. Same-sex relations are illegal—penalties are between five and 14 years’ imprisonment—but arrests and prosecutions are rare.
Kenya was the first African nation to include men who have sex with men in their national HIV strategy. The recently-appointed Supreme Court Chief Justice Dr. Willy Mutunga has said that "gay rights are human rights" and expressed a desire to overturn anti-gay legislation. As a result of these and many other incremental advances, Kenya has rapidly become a refuge for many LGBTs who have been persecuted in East African nations.
Some Background ...
KENYA: Venezuelan Diplomat Held in Embassy Murder
KENYA: Venezuela Envoy Slain
Can Kenya Lead Africa on Gay Rights? [EBONY]
Kenya HRC Calls for Repealing Anti-Gay Laws
Kenyan Men Forced into Gulf Sex Trafficking?
UN Chief Urges African Leaders to Respect Gays
KENYA: Pro-LGBT Justices Confirmed
Controversy in Kenya After Pro LGBT Nominees
Kenyan Prime Minister: "All Gays Should Be Arrested"
KENYA: Questions Surround Mandatory HIV Testing
AIDS 2010: Joel Nana on African Gay/Bi Men, HIV
WATCH: CNN Surveys Gay Rights in SA, Kenya, Cuba
Kenyan Gays Demand Protection After Brutal Assault
Rod, thanks so much for your Africa coverage. Much appreciated.
Posted by: FB | 31 July 2012 at 23:40