Gay men abused in Morocco after photos spread online

Gay men are being harassed and abused in Morocco after photos taken from gay chat apps were circulated online.

Photos spread after a social media influencer told her followers to make fake accounts on apps to see how common homosexuality is.

Homosexuality is illegal in the conservative Muslim country, which is in lockdown because of coronavirus.

The restrictions mean many men are unable to leave their homes where families abuse them, activists say.

One man, a student who returned from France during the lockdown, killed himself after being identified as gay, Moroccan media report.

Three LGBT organisations who support gay men in Morocco have told BBC News that men are being harassed and are at risk in the country after the photos spread.

Samir el Mouti runs a Facebook group called The Moroccan LGBT Community, which gives advice and support to LGBT people, many of whom conceal their sexuality.

The number of men reporting abuse and asking for help has increased since the online campaign began, says Mr Mouti, who left Morocco to study for a PhD in the UK.

One man contacted the Facebook group to say he feels like "a dead man".

"I'm in great trouble. Everyone knows now that I'm homosexual, and my neighbour sexually harassed me, so I decided to flee," he told the group.

"I have nowhere to go - especially during lockdown."