A television presenter in Ivory Coast has been convicted of glorifying rape after he invited a convicted rapist on to his programme to show how he assaulted his victims.

Presenter Yves de Mbella has also been fined two million CFA francs (£2,600) and banned him from leaving Abidjan, the country’s commercial capital, for one year.

The man who appeared on the show has been sentenced to two years in prison, a spokesperson for Ivory Coast’s justice system said.

Mr De Mbella and the private Nouvelle Chaine Ivorienne (NCI) channel have apologised for the segment.

The programme, broadcast at primetime on Monday, provoked nationwide condemnation and prompted almost 50,000 people to sign a petition demanding that its presenting team be punished.

In the segment, Mr De Mbella invited the guest to make the demonstration, helping him adjust the dummy and asking him to explain how he selected those he attacked.

The presenter asked the man whether his victims “enjoyed it” and whether he preferred them to be “slim or fat”.

“Please tell me I’m dreaming,” Priss’K, an Ivorian rapper, wrote on Facebook. She added: “It’s disgusting, unacceptable, disrespectful, especially towards women.

“Rape is so degrading and dehumanising for the victim.”

Ivory Coast‘s independent communications council said the segment used obscene language, condoned rape and attacked the dignity of women, announcing Mr de Mbella’s suspension for 30 days.

The NCI channel cancelled the show’s last episode, which had been scheduled for Friday.

Mr de Mbella said he “made an error” and was “sincerely sorry to have shocked everyone while trying to raise awareness”.

“I’m also sorry for everything that was said or done during that sequence of the programme yesterday that hurt,” he wrote on Facebook.

“I beg for forgiveness from all victims of rape.”

Mr de Mbella is scheduled to host the Miss Ivory Coast pageant on Saturday.

The contest’s sponsor, telecommunications operator MTN, did not say whether he would be replaced but pledged to take firm measures in response to the segment.

Related posts:

More than 80 dead after rifle grenades land on Myanmar protesters Where are attacks and clashes taking place in Israel and Gaza? Mice plague sees rodents biting people’s feet in bed and crawling over their faces EastEnders actor Himesh Patel backs disaster appeal over India COVID crisis Hundreds attend funeral of British woman killed in Greece burglary Rwanda’s president criticises Arsenal after Premier League defeat Towns destroyed and hospitals overwhelmed as 7.2-magnitude quake strikes Haiti Afghan women in fear as Taliban go door to door in search of those who worked for ‘enemies’ China’s ambassador to UK banned from parliament ahead of talk Safehouse of Mexican drug kingpin El Chapo to be given away as lottery prize Taliban ‘committing a litany of abuses’ as takeover marked by ‘killings’, UN officials say Tsunami sends ‘violent’ waves that cause boat to spill thousands of oil barrels into ocean off Peru