Gay Today: World

Tatchell Cleared
After Making Attempted Arrest

Brazilian Group Murders Gays

Amelie Mauresmo Wallops Muggers

By Rex Wockner
International News Report

Tatchell Cleared After Making Attempted Arrest

Peter Tatchell will not stand trial for his part in the attempted arrest of homophobic Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe

Prosecutors December 10 dropped charges against British gay leader Peter Tatchell for his attempted citizen's arrest of homophobic Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe October 30 in London.

Tatchell faced up to 18 months in prison for using threatening, abusing and insulting words and behavior and for assaulting a police officer during the attack on Mugabe's motorcade.

The Crown Prosecution Service said there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the case.

Lesser charges against the other protesters also were dropped.

Tatchell commented: "The official reason given for dropping the case was 'insufficient evidence.' But the Crown had lined up 18 police officers to testify against us, and had 15 minutes of film footage from Sky News. The real reason was not insufficient evidence, but that the evidence favored our defense. It did not substantiate the charges against us."

Brazilian Group Murders Gays

The Brazilian anti-gay group Acorda Coracao (Wake Up, Dear) has murdered its sixth victim, the EFE news agency reported Dec. 5.

The killers operate in the Rio de Janeiro neighborhood of Nova Iguacu and reportedly shout "Wake up, dear" before killing their prey.

Gay organizations are warning gays to travel in groups of at least three people after dark, and police have increased patrols around gay bars and discotheques.

Related Stories from the GayToday Archive:
Homophobic African Dictator Detained by Protestors

Brazil's Homophobia Worst in the World

19 Year Old French Tennis Pro Comes Out

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Amelie Mauresmo Wallops Muggers

Lesbian tennis star Amelie Mauresmo was attacked in Guadeloupe early this month

French lesbian tennis pro Amelie Mauresmo decked three muggers on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe in early December.

"I was terrified but I didn't let it show," Mauresmo told London's The Mirror. "I screamed at them to go away but they surrounded us and moved in. One pulled out a knife, so I used my elbows to knock two of them to the ground, then punched the third one as hard as I could in the face. One of them managed to tear a gold chain from my neck which upset me because it was a present from someone I am very fond of."

Mauresmo was walking on the beach with girlfriend Sylvie Bourdon when the attack occurred. Club Med security officers failed to snag the thugs.