Transgender woman in Cameroon describes 'hell' of five months in prison

Patricia and Shakiro, two transgender women who were convicted in May of "attempted homosexuality", record a video after their release to thank those who supported them, at Shakiro's house in Douala, Cameroon July 16, 2021. REUTERS/Josiane Kouagheu

DOUALA (Reuters) - The five months that two transgender women in Cameroon spent in prison were "hell", one of them told Reuters on Friday after they were released, describing how they were initially forced to sleep with chains around their legs.

Shakiro and Patricia left Douala's main prison in a taxi after a judge ordered them freed until a court could hear an appeal of their five-year sentences.