A Malaysian court ruled against the countrys government after it seized 172 rainbow watches last year because they symbolized the Pride flag. Malaysia now must return the watches to the watchmaker, Swatch.Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Amarjeet Singh Serjit Singh ruled that Malaysia lacked a warrant to confiscate the watches and that the seizure was unlawful because a law prohibiting the watches from being sold was passed after the fact. Related 11 Swatch stores raided & rainbow Pride watches confiscated in Malaysia The company says theyre putting them on display again. However, the watches cannot be sold, only returned. The government has 14 days to do so. Stay connected to your community Connect with the issues and events that impact your community at home and beyond by subscribing to our newsletter. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The Swatch shops were raided in May 2023, but the watches were not banned from sale until August of that year. As such, Swatch committed no offense in the eyes of the court.The watches were seized because they featured LGBT elements. Homosexuality is illegal in the country and can result in punishments of up to 20 years in prison.Malaysias Home Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that the government and its legal team will have to examine the basis of the judgement before giving an indication as to whether they would appeal the ruling. Ismail added that they must respect the decision, or else it would be viewed as contempt of court.Swatch argued in 2023 that the product was not in any way capable of causing any disruption to public order or morality or any violations of the law. They argued that the seizure significantly harmed their business and that the Pride flag is a symbol of humanity that speaks for all genders and races.No damages were granted in the case, however the company can file for damages later if the watches were found to have been damaged in any capacity.Over 170 watches were seized from 11 shopping malls throughout the country across a three-day period. Five outlets were also given a warning for stocking these watches.Law enforcement alleged that the watches had LGBTQ on them.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.