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View all search resultsMalaysian authorities raid LGBTQ Halloween party, arrest 20
"About 40 religious officers backed by the police came into the venue with some 1,000 participants and they stopped the music and dance," he told AFP.
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alaysia’s Islamic religious officers broke up a large Halloween party attended by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community and arrested 20 people for cross-dressing and allegedly encouraging vice, activists said on Sunday.
Activist Numan Afifi, who was among those arrested at the event in Kuala Lumpur late Saturday, described the raid as "traumatising and harrowing."
"About 40 religious officers backed by the police came into the venue with some 1,000 participants and they stopped the music and dance," he told AFP.
Numan said authorities divided party-goers into two groups – Muslims and followers of other faiths.
Subsequently, 20 Muslims were taken to the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department where "our identity details were recorded."
"Some were alleged to have committed offences under cross-dressing, while others, including me, for encouraging vice," Numan said.
All 20 were released a few hours later but are required to return next week for questioning.
