The two Catalan tourists arrested in Gambia last weekend accused by a taxi driver of making "homosexual propositions" were released from custody following a telephone conversation between Spanish Foreign Affairs minister Miguel Ángel Moratinos and a local diplomat at around 6.30pm (CET) yesterday evening.

Immediately after their release, Spanish diplomats arranged for the two Catalan tourists, who have been identified as PJ (56) and JM (54), to be driven to Dakar, the capital of neighbouring Senegal, where they were expected to arrive last night.

They were arrested last Friday in the tourist town of Kotu, which is close to the capital Banjul, after being driven to the police station by their taxi driver, who accused them of making "homosexual propositions."

Since the news of the couple's arrests first broke yesterday a number of gay and lesbian organisations have contacted president Zapatero, urging him to review diplomatic relations with Gambia, where Spain currently has no embassy.

The photo shows the president of Gambia, Yahya Jammeh, who, on May 15th, described homosexuality as a threat to the nation, gave homosexuals 24 hours to leave the country, threatened to "decapitate" any remaining homosexuals, and gave orders for all hotels and guest houses used by homosexuals, to be closed down. 

Arrested Spanish tourists accused of making 'homosexual propositions'
By: thinkSPAIN
Tuesday, June 3, 2008

It has been confirmed today that two Spanish men arrested in Gambia last Friday are accused of having made homosexual proposals to a taxi driver. If convicted, they could face a maximum prison sentence of fourteen years for crimes against Islamic principles.

The two tourists have been visited each the day since their arrest by the Spanish Consul for Gambia, Nicolás Elbusto, who has been giving the two men his "full support."