Suspected Islamist militants shot and killed a Yemeni man Thursday because they believed he was gay, according to law officials.

One of two men riding a motorcycle shot at the young Yemeni man outside his house in Huta, located in the capital of Lahij province.

The gunmen were both able to escape before police arrived.

Police have blamed the shooting on the al-Qaeda affiliated group called Ansar al-Sharia.

Police reported that this was the sixth shooting since the start of last year related to an al-Qaeda affiliated group. Similar killings have occurred in Abyan and Aden.

The group is currently imposing Islamic law in areas of Abyan where it has greater influence.

Last May, an army offensive pushed the militants into the mountainous south and southeast region of Yemen, where it has since launched regular attacks mainly against security forces.

While prosecution of homosexuality in Yemen has become less severe since the 2011 revolution, parts of the country under militant rule are often brutal in punishing the “offense”.

Under radical law, punishments for homosexuality range from flogging to execution.

Several other people have been condemned to death under this law after so-called “trials”. Others have had their hands amputated under “conviction” of theft.

Sources: DailyStar, Gay Star News