Morocco expels two French women after topless gay rights protest

Morocco expelled two French women activists who bared their breasts and kissed each other outside an ancient mosque on Tuesday in a protest about gay rights in a country where homosexuality is illegal.

It was at least the second demonstration by the feminist group Femen in a Muslim country, after Tunisia in 2013, where three European activists were sentenced to four months in jail. They were released after serving one month.

"This act of provocation was an unacceptable offence to Moroccan society," the Interior Ministry said in a statement. "The two were arrested at Rabat international airport after they filmed obscene scenes." The women were apparently on their way home when they were arrested. Authorities added that they were barred from returning to Morocco. Their actions probably breached Moroccan "public indecency" laws.

Hassan Mosque, where the protest happened, is a medieval site visited by thousands of tourists every year, but it no longer functions as an active place of worship.

"I know Morocco could be more dangerous than Tunisia," one of the protesters, who identified herself only as Marguerite, said earlier on Tuesday in the building's courtyard in the capital, Rabat. 

The protest may put pressure on the Islamist-led administration from conservative and religious groups who were already upset over a recent concert by US singer Jennifer Lopez in Morocco that they deemed provocative.    (Reuters)

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