Finally, Malawi's president, Bingu Wa Mutharika, released the gay couple who had been sentenced to 14 years in prison for holding a religious union ceremony.
"These boys committed a crime against our culture, our religion and law, however, as leader of the State I have the honor of forgiving them and requesting that they be released", said the president of Malawi, who made the decision after a meeting with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon.
Steven Monjeza, 26, and hotel employee Tiwonge Chimbalanga, 20, were arrested in December last year, the day after they celebrated their union with a traditional party at the hotel where Tiwonge worked. The two were tried and found guilty of "clearly breaking the laws" of the country.
The president of Malawi stated that the pardon occurred for "humanitarian reasons", which does not mean that he supports homosexuality, which is considered a crime in the country.
Since their arrest, the couple has received international support. A Amnesty he even asked that the two men be released immediately. The singer Madonna, when he learned of the decision, he spoke out against the conviction. The queen of pop adopted two children from Malawi and is also building a school there.
