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Pakistan 'same-sex' couple jailed Pakistan 'same-sex' couple jailed
(40 minutes later)
A Pakistani court has sent a couple to jail for three years after ruling that they had lied about the husband's gender and that he was a woman. A Pakistani court has jailed a married couple for three years for perjury after a dispute over the husband's sex.
The court said it found them guilty of perjury. Last week, it ruled that their same-sex marriage was against Islam. Last week the court ruled that the husband was, in fact, a woman, despite sex-change surgery and that the couple had lied about his sexual status.
The couple appeared shocked by the verdict and said they will appeal against the sentence. They have urged President Pervez Musharraf to help. It also said their marriage was un-Islamic because it was same-sex.
The case is believed to be one of the first of its kind in the country. The case is believed the first of its kind in Pakistan. The couple said they would appeal against the sentence and have asked President Musharraf to help.
Shumail Raj, 31, had sex-change surgery to become a man and then married his cousin - who was aware of the condition but says she needed his help to avoid being forced into wedlock with someone else.Shumail Raj, 31, had sex-change surgery to become a man and then married his cousin - who was aware of the condition but says she needed his help to avoid being forced into wedlock with someone else.
'Lenient''Lenient'
He had undergone surgery twice in Pakistan over the past 16 years to become a man. He is reported to have undergone surgery twice in Pakistan over the past 16 years to become a man.
But tests carried out by doctors on behalf of the court ruled that he was still a woman. He himself says that he needs to go abroad for more treatment even though his breasts and uterus have been removed. But tests carried out by doctors on behalf of the court ruled that Raj, who has a beard an moustache, was still a woman.
He himself says that he needs to go abroad for more treatment even though his breasts and uterus have been removed.
Shumail Raj has appealed to President Musharraf for helpShumail Raj has appealed to President Musharraf for help
Presiding judge Khawaja Mohammad Sharif said he was issuing a "lenient" sentence, below the maximum punishment, because the couple had apologised. The judge, Khawaja Mohammad Sharif, said he was issuing a "lenient" sentence, below the maximum punishment, because the couple had apologised, the Associated Press news agency reports.
"There is sufficient evidence to establish that Shumail Raj is a woman," Reuters news agency quoted the judge as saying.
He also asked them to pay a fine of 10,000 Pakistani rupees ($165).He also asked them to pay a fine of 10,000 Pakistani rupees ($165).
Reports said Mr Raj and his 24-year-old wife Shahzina Tariq appeared shocked by the verdict.Reports said Mr Raj and his 24-year-old wife Shahzina Tariq appeared shocked by the verdict.
"We appeal to President Musharraf to intervene. Mr Musharraf is talking about moderation and enlightenment. We hope he will do something for us," Mr Raj said."We appeal to President Musharraf to intervene. Mr Musharraf is talking about moderation and enlightenment. We hope he will do something for us," Mr Raj said.
'Against Islam''Against Islam'
Earlier, the couple told the court that they had got married so that the wife could avoid an arranged marriage.Earlier, the couple told the court that they had got married so that the wife could avoid an arranged marriage.
The bride's father wants to annul the wedding on the grounds that it is against Islam for two women to marry.The bride's father wants to annul the wedding on the grounds that it is against Islam for two women to marry.
But the couple argue that they married to protect the bride from being sold into marriage to pay off her uncle's gambling debts.But the couple argue that they married to protect the bride from being sold into marriage to pay off her uncle's gambling debts.
Shahzina Tariq says they are not homosexuals and they married because they are in love.Shahzina Tariq says they are not homosexuals and they married because they are in love.
The two were arrested a fortnight ago after the bride's family complained about the gender of her husband.The two were arrested a fortnight ago after the bride's family complained about the gender of her husband.
The High Court in Lahore ruled that Mr Raj had earlier lied to the court by saying he was a man.
Also, the judge said that Islam or Pakistani law did not allow marriages of the same sex.
He ordered that Mr Raj be sent to jail in Lahore and his wife be jailed in her home town of Faisalabad, pending their trial.