Egypt gay trial resumes

The trial is resuming in a state security court in Egypt later on Wednesday of 52 men arrested at a gay disco on a luxury yacht on the Nile.

The two main defendants are accused of exploiting religion to spread extremist ideas.

The others faces charges of debauchery - which is usually used against prostitutes.

They all deny the charges.

The BBC Cairo correspondent says Egyptian law does not specifically penalise homosexuality, even though it is a major social and cultural taboo.

She says Egypt's gay community - which until recently has been tolerated - has been shocked by the case.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service