Malawi army says trans woman was 'not beaten because of sexuality'

Malawi army officers deny beating up a transgender woman because of her sexual identity, army officials have said according to AFP news agency.

A video of the beating has been widely shared on social media.

"The truth is that the individual was beaten because they stole a car belonging to an army officer and not because they are transgender," a spokesman for the army said on Friday.

The footage shows a man in army uniform whipping the woman with a sjambok - a heavy leather whip.

According to AFP, another soldier then joins in, helping to hold her down to receive more lashes.

No complaint of assault had been lodged, the officials added.

Consensual same-sex relationships are illegal in Malawi and it is believed that LGBTQ-people experience violence and discrimination a daily basis.

Most Malawians subscribe to either Christianity and Islam, and both Abrahamic religions consider homosexuality a sin.