ケニア：LGBT運動家殺害容疑で有罪判決

　2年前に金属の箱―まあつまりごみ収集用のメタルボックスのなかに、口に詰め物されて窒息して死んだ遺体が放置されているのが発見された。当然状況からは殺人事件で、同居人が容疑者と見込まれた。そして有罪判決である。

「A Kenyan court has convicted a photographer for the murder of LGBT activist Edwin Kiprotich Kipruto, popularly known as Edwin Chiloba, whose body was found dumped in a metal box nearly two years ago.」

【LGBT+問題】

BBC Housemate convicted of horrific murder of Kenyan LGBT activist 1 day ago

Basillioh Rukanga

　同居人の写真家が逮捕された。まあなんでそんな並みの痴話げんかの末の殺人らしきものが報じられるかって、被害者が著名なLGBT運動家だったから―。

「The court in the western city of Eldoret ruled that the prosecution had proved that Jacktone Odhiambo, who was living with Chiloba, had killed him.

Chiloba's body had been found dumped on the roadside in Eldoret, where he was a university student.

The murder sparked global condemnation, with human rights groups saying it was because of his sexuality.」

　ケニアは比較的保守的で、ゲイ行為は刑法犯扱い。とはいえふつーに運動家できてたりして、つまり現行犯でもない限りなかなか逮捕はできないし、普通そうした行為は人目に触れぬ私室なり連れ込み宿なりでやるだろ、と。それがそうまで抵抗されずに実行可能なくらいには自由度が高い―のだろうが、時々運動家が虐殺される。すわこれもか！？と話題になったわけだ。

「The evidence also indicated that the suspect had sexually assaulted Chiloba before killing him.

The judge said the prosecution had proved the suspect’s deliberate intention and deep hatred against the deceased.」

　…殺害前に性的暴行されてたらしいぞとくれば、同好の士の犯行か―と疑うのも無理はないですわな。

「Chiloba’s body was found in early January last year with socks stuffed into his mouth and a piece of denim from jeans tied around his face.

A post-mortem indicated that he had died from lack of oxygen, caused by smothering.」

　…報道する意味合いは―あとは著名な運動家だったというとこに落ち着くかなあ。これ基本、痴話げんかなりなんなり、そうした概念で測るものよねえ。