A trans woman is facing life in prison after being found guilty of sodomy in Zambia.

Hatch Bril, a 27-year-old hairdresser, will be sentenced to a prison sentence of 15 years to life under the Penal Code. She plans to appeal.

Taxi driver Abraham Chilemu, 19, went to Mongu police claiming she had ‘deceived’ him into sex on 24 October.

He claimed Chilemu ‘forced’ her to having sex with him, an account the magistrate rejected.

However, Magistrate Mate Chingumbe did agree that Bril had ‘inserted Chilemu’s penis into [her] anus’, and there was clearly no evidence of a rape such as blood stains or torn clothing.

Bril’s clothing including her bra, underwear, makeup and hair extensions was entered into evidence, and it was ruled that Chilemu had been ‘deceived into believing Bril was a woman’.

The Zambia Daily Mail reported Chilemu ‘was made to believe that he was actually going to sleep with a woman and a woman only because of the way he [Bril] was dressed, and he had long hair.’

She was then forced to provide medical evidence by torture – an ‘anal probe’ examination, 76 Crimes reports.

During ‘anal probe’ procedures, a forensic medical ‘doctor’ examines the anus of a suspect for ‘proof’ they engaged in anal sex and checks for traces of sperm.

The ‘doctor’ also takes a picture to ‘study’ the shape of the hole – the larger the width the more ‘likely’ the person is ‘gay’, according to this discredited theory.

But the tests are scientifically nonsensical and human rights organizations have condemned them for being inconclusive, degrading and a form of torture.

In this case, the medical examiner reported he spotted ‘cuts’ in Bril’s anus, with the magistrate claiming this is evidence an illegal sex act had taken place.

The magistrate court then said there was ‘no doubt’ Bril had committed the offense. He then referred the case to the High Court so Bril could be given a tougher sentence, anything from 15 years to life in prison.

Bril is appealing.