Seven arrested for raising rainbow flag at concert in Egypt

Egyptian authorities have arrested seven people, accusing them of being gay and “promoting homosexuality” after allegedly raising a rainbow flag at a concert.

However, as the Associated Press reports, this is raising even more concern because there is no official law banning the practice.

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According to the Associated Press, those arrested have been charged with “inciting immorality,” as homosexuality is highly taboo in Egypt—even though it’s not prohibited by law. Reuters explain that in Egypt, gay men are frequently arrested and charged with “debauchery, immorality or blasphemy.”

The arrests were made at a Lebanese indie rock show, featuring the band Mashrou' Leila, whose lead singer is openly gay.

In an interview following the arrests, the deputy head of the official musicians union, Reza Ragab, took the side of the police, going as far as to say that it’s “depraved art.”

“We are against gay art,” Ragab said in a phone interview on AlAssema TV, the Associated Press reports. “It is depraved art.”

The band shared a photo on Facebook that night, sharing their love for the city of Cairo.

The public prosecutor has yet to announce a decision on whether formal charges will be filed, Reuters reports.