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Malaysian court orders return of LGBTQ-themed Swatch watches
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Malaysian court orders return of LGBTQ-themed Swatch watches

A Malaysian court on Monday ordered the government to return rainbow-colored watches and accessories made by Swatch Group that were seized last year for designs celebrating LGBTQ rights, a prosecutor said.
Homosexuality is illegal in the Muslim majority Malaysiaand rights groups have warned of growing intolerance towards the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community in the Southeast Asian country.

In May 2023, Malaysia confiscated 172 rainbow-colored watches from the Swiss watchmaker’s “Pride collection” from 16 outlets due to the presence of the “LGBTQ” acronym on the timepieces. .

The government then banned any LGBTQ references on Swatch watches, boxes, packaging, accessories or other items, saying such products could harm morality and the public interest.

Swatch Group filed a lawsuit challenging the seizure of the watches worth 64,795 ringgit ($14,550), saying it was illegal and damaged its reputation.

On Monday, prosecutor Mohammad Sallehuddin Md Ali said the Kuala Lumpur High Court had ruled that the watches must be returned to the Swatch Group within 14 days.