May 29 (Bloomberg) -- Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika has said a gay couple sentenced to 14 years in jail for holding the country’s first same-sex wedding are to be pardoned, Agence France-Presse said, citing the president.

“I have decided that with effect from today, they are pardoned and they will be released,” the news agency cited Mutharika as saying after meeting United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. “From a humanitarian point of view, they are released and pardoned forthwith.”

Last Updated: May 29, 2010 09:55 EDT

SOURCE: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601116&sid=aqz44voXqCYY