2 gay men arrested in Malawi after getting engaged have pleaded not guilty to charges of gross public indecency. Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza appeared at a packed court in Malawi's biggest city Blantyre yesterday. The will return to court on Monday and ask for bail. The pair held a traditional engagement ceremony last weekend, believed to be the 1st gay couple in Malawi to start the process of getting married. Homosexual acts carry a maximum prison sentence of 14 years in Malawi. Large crowds of onlookers went to see the couple in court yesterday. Some people congratulated them but other shouted insults. Prosecutors say they will send the pair to hospital to prove they have had sex together. They face 3 charges of unnatural practices between males and gross indecency. Monjeza, 26, hinted that he may consider calling off the proposed wedding, as he was sent back to prison. "I am sad I am going back to Chichiri Prison," he said. "The condition are terrible there. People are exaggerating this thing. I may just as well dissolve this marriage." Chimbalanga, 20, dressed in women's clothes, refused to speak to journalists, beyond accusing them of writing "stupid" things. They were arrested on Monday at the home they share.
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