Hisham Abdel Hamid, spokesman of the forensic department said Monday that, based on the results of medical tests, nine men suspected of participating in an alleged same-sex wedding party are "not homosexuals". Abdel Hamid told Daily News Egypt that a report has been sent to the prosecution as part of the ongoing investigation. Prosecutor General Hisham Barakat ordered on Saturday the arrested men to be held in preventative detention and examined by the forensic department. Suspects accused of homosexuality are frequently forced to undergo medical tests to ensure they are "habitual" homosexuals, a practice condemned by rights groups. The men, who featured in a video showing two males celebrating their marriage on a boat, are being charged with "inciting debauchery". The prosecution described the celebration as "a devilish shameless party". Egyptian law does not directly forbid homosexuality, but crackdowns have taken place citing charges of "violating the teachings of religion and public morals". In 2001, more than 50 males were arrested on a boat on charges related to homosexual acts and "Satanism", with some receiving prison sentences. In October 2013, prosecutors ordered fourteen suspects be detained on allegations they committed "homosexual acts" in a medical centre in the El-Marg neighbourhood of Cairo, and to undergo medical tests. Last April, an Egyptian court sentenced four men to up to eight years in prison for practicing debauchery.
