Malawi president Bingu wa Mutharika announced on Saturday the pardon of the jailed gay couple who were sentenced to 14 years earlier this month.
The decision was made at a press briefing at the state house after Mutharika met with visiting UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday.
"I've pardoned the two on humanitarian grounds but what they did is criminal and against our culture," Mutharika told waiting journalists.
"I'm very delighted. This is a very courageous decision to make," Ban Ki-moon hailed Mutharika for the pardon at the press briefing.
Ban also told media that he had in-depth talks with Mutharika and he had told the president that it would be good for his leadership if the president pardons the gay couple.
Meanwhile Ban appealed to the Malawian government to consider reforming laws that discriminate people because of their sexuality.
The gay couple has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for holding same-sex wedding earlier this month.
The two held their engagement in public on December 26 last year at a lodge, and on December 28 last year the two were arrested by the Malawi Police for the act and they have since been in police custody.
