Police arrest anti-gay demonstrators in Senegal

The head of an anti-gay coalition says police have arrested 11 people in Senegal's capital during a demonstration against the release of 11 people accused of homosexual acts.

Abdoulaye Barro said on Friday about 100 people from a 20-group anti-gay coalition staged the demonstration. He said police dispersed demonstrators and arrested some because the protest wasn't authorised.

Residents in Kaolack, about 200km from Dakar, say police arrested 11 people on December 25 after they attended the celebration of a gay marriage.

 Protesters on Friday called on the government to express outrage for their release some days earlier.

Homosexual acts are criminalised in at least 34 African countries, including Senegal, where they are punishable by up to five years prison and fines of up to $2 500.