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A Zimbabwe court on Friday ordered the deportation of a former United States congressman who was facing charges of possessing pornographic material and staying in the country illegally.
Mel Reynolds (62) pleaded guilty for staying in Zimbabwe on an expired visa and was fined Sh8,600 ($100) or five days in prison.
“Once the accused has paid his fine or spent time in prison, he must be handed over to the immigration officials for immediate deportation,” Harare magistrate Tendai Mahwe ruled.
The former U.S congressman was acquitted of additional charges of possessing pornographic pictures and videos. Reynolds was arrested at a Harare hotel on Monday.
Prosecutors had told the court that Reynolds was found with pictures of men and women having sexual intercourse on his phone.
He reportedly arrived in Zimbabwe on a business visa on November 13 last year and expired on November 27, 2013.
Reynolds did not return to the United States at the expiry of his permit but stayed in Zimbabwe illegally.-nation.co.ke