CAIRO — An Egyptian appeals court has reduced the prison terms for eight men jailed last month for appearing in a video of what was alleged to be the country’s first gay marriage.

The decision to reduce the sentences from three years to one drew “tears and shouts” from family members in the courtroom, a witness told the news agency Reuters.

The defendants denied charges of spreading indecent images and inciting debauchery. However, a video that was taken during the ceremony went viral on social media sites last August, placing the men in jeopardy.

The eight men whose sentences were reduced have one further recourse and may appeal the new ruling to Egypt’s highest court.

Gay marriage is not legal in Egypt, and although homosexuality itself is not specifically outlawed, homosexual acts are, and discrimination is widespread.

Egyptian police officers use social media and GPS-enabled dating apps such as Grindr to track and arrest people, according to LGBT activists in the country.

The people arrested are typically charged with debauchery, immorality or blasphemy.

Meanwhile, a group of 26 men suspected of homosexuality were dragged naked from a bath house in downtown Cairo earlier this month, following a raid by Egyptian authorities.

Their trial, on charges including debauchery, is set to begin in January.

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