KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia's High Court has dismissed a bid by gay rights activists to challenge a police ban on an arts festival.
The court's decision deals a blow to a rare legal case involving gay rights in the Muslim-majority nation.
Organizers of the "Sexual Independence" festival had hoped to overturn a ban imposed last year on the event, which would have featured musical performances, talks on sexuality issues and a poster exhibition.
Police ordered activists to scrap the event after Muslim organizations said it would disrupt public order.
High Court Judge Rohana Yusuf ruled Thursday that police were empowered to declare the ban.
Festival organizers said they would appeal the verdict.
Shares