Gazan man says Hamas beat him for alleged affair

A Gaza man says Hamas police beat him over allegations that he had extramarital sex, which is forbidden by Muslim law. Gaza gallery owner Jamal Abu Qumsan said police demanded information about the women he allegedly slept with. He said Wednesday that police interrogators beat him across his back, legs and buttocks in hours-long interrogations over three days last week.

To back up his claims, Abu Qumsan e-mailed reporters a photo of his bruises. Gaza human rights activists say other residents have also been interrogated over their sex lives, but they were too frightened to come forward. They say the arrests are evidence of a quiet but persistent Hamas morals crackdown in Gaza, as part of an attempt to implement strict Islamic law. Hamas officials were not available for comment. (AP)