Lusaka - Two Zambian men accused of sodomy pleaded not guilty in a high profile court appearance Wednesday, an official said.
Philip Mubiana, 21, and James Mwape, 20, were charged with having intercourseual relations between April 11 and 25, after the first known arrest of a gay couple in the southern African country.
"I understand the charge and I plead not guilty," the court official quoted Mwape as saying.
Mubiana also pleaded not guilty in the magistrates court in Kapiri Mposhi, a small town 211 kilometres (130 miles) north of the capital Lusaka.
The men were arrested Monday after Mubiana's relatives reported them.
Police allege that Mubiana played a female role in the relationship and had at times dressed as a woman.
Their trial will start May 22.
Conviction for sodomy in Zambia carries a jail term of up to 14 years.
Last month rights activist Paul Kasonkomona was arrested for appearing on television demanding the decriminalisation of homointercourseuality in the deeply conservative country. - Sapa-AFP
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