Iranian Teenagers Hanged for Alleged Gay Relationship

The Iranian regime has stepped up its campaign targeting gays. On July 19, two teenage boys were hanged in the city of Meshad (see photo). And just a few days ago (August 27), two men - Farbod Mostaar and Ahmad Chooka - were allegedly executed for homosexuality in the city of Arak.

The Meshad two teenagers - identified by their initials as M.A. and A.M. - were hanged in Edalat (Justice) Square in Meshhad on the orders of Court No. 19. Several Iranian members of Parliament representing Meshad backed the execution. One, Ali Asgari, said: "Whatever sentence is decreed by an Islamic penal system must be approved, unless proven otherwise... These individuals were corrupt. Their sentence was carried out with the approval of the judiciary and it served them right."

The striking photos documenting the hanging have put a chronic civil rights abuse in Iran (and across the region) on the map, at least temporarily. Consensual homosexual acts are punishable by death in Iran. According to Iranian human rights campaigners, over 4000 lesbians and gay men have been executed since the Ayatollahs seized power in 1979.

Looking at the photograph of the two teenagers crying on their way to being hanged captures the human side of the region's systemic repression. The tears and body-language say more than any commentary can. We pause to stare at the young men and into the face of a system of repression that cannot be met with indifference.

Comments

[jonas976]

I don't support the gay movement, but DAMN, this is harsh, way too harsh. Just leave the gays alone.

Wouldn't surprise me if some of the animals who support these hangings are homosexuals themselves.

[Ali]

Well, I believe that there is alot of gay people in Iran, alot and i mean alot! even the police in the goverment etc. I was in Teheran as a tourist and i had alot of sex with man without problem alot! i mean alot, so why killing young gay boys if the killers are gay too? i cant understand that! Because them cant said NO i never had sex with man! Most muslims already had sex with other man. maybe 85% of them for sure already had sex with other man! maybe the own president already had sex when he was in the school maybe who knows. but for sure them masturbate too, so why kill gays? when they are gays too? just because them dont admit them have the right to kill?
I dont believe in Allah anymore for that reason because im a muslim and i know how works this, when i was in the school almost everyone masturbate in the toilet, and for us was normal to see having sex with friends. because we cant have sex with girls, till marry so in the school we had sex with friends and some of them had sex with the teachers. so muslims teach us to be like this so why kill us? Those who kill gays, if them really believe in Allah! then them should kill them selves first. because them already had sex with other man. FOR SURE!

[Ali]

Well, I believe that there is alot of gay people in Iran, alot and i mean alot! even the police in the goverment etc. I was in Teheran as a tourist and i had alot of sex with man without problem alot! i mean alot, so why killing young gay boys if the killers are gay too? i cant understand that! Because them cant said NO i never had sex with man! Most muslims already had sex with other man. maybe 85% of them for sure already had sex with other man! maybe the own president already had sex when he was in the school maybe who knows. but for sure them masturbate too, so why kill gays? when they are gays too? just because them dont admit them have the right to kill?
I dont believe in Allah anymore for that reason because im a muslim and i know how works this, when i was in the school almost everyone masturbate in the toilet, and for us was normal to see having sex with friends. because we cant have sex with girls, till marry so in the school we had sex with friends and some of them had sex with the teachers. so muslims teach us to be like this so why kill us? Those who kill gays, if them really believe in Allah! then them should kill them selves first. because them already had sex with other man. FOR SURE!

[Ayah]

I just came across this blog today and I've been going through some of the postings inclduing this one.
In Islam as in all monotheistic religions homosexuality is forbidden.
If you're a Muslim (one who submits to Allah) and you were raised with the correct teachings and understanding of Islam (Peace/ Submission) then you know the outcome for these two men is exactly what it should be.
Be sad yes, but be sad that these men and many others like them strayed from correct path. Be sad that they didn't love or fear Allah enough to want to stop committing these haram acts.
Just because certain things are common in society doesn't make it acceptable.
In the end Allah is the only judge and we will all be accountable for our actions.

[Xavier Demerian]

This is abuse perpetuated under the guise of law and yet more religious teachings twisted and perverted for the psychopaths in power. These people are barbarians with limited intelligence.

[mohamad]

when i read the comments i found this world is a crazy one . i think islam is the best and who said this is against moral thing ,is the one who doesnt know the fact of islam and ethical ideas.

[she who shall never be named.....]

ITS HORRIBLE!!! THEY CAN BE WHATEVER THEY WANT!! ITS THERE DECISION AND IT DOESNT HAVE ANYTHING 2 DO WITH ANYONE ELSE!!!

[Ben]

I think homosexual should be banned because it is against may religions and causes more hassle than it is worth.

[bob]

i hav a big willy

[HANAH ND NAOMI NEDA ND STEVEN ND LUCY IN RE]

we dont believe in gay people being hung. It is discrimination over someones personal choice .

[Ikbal]

well done to the justice system

[Bob]

I believ that if a certain religion believes gay's should be hung, then thay can. They dontgo against our laws. I think they should do what they like!

[bob]

i have a bigger willy!

[bob]

i have a bigger willy!

[nick]

Adnan Ali, founder of the British branch of al-Fatiha, an organisation for gay and lesbian Muslims, told Gay.com that "a person with such an obsession about execution of human beings is not even entitled to be addressed as Imam." "Islam is a very tolerant religion and celebrates the human diversity in its core message," Ali said. "The holy book Qur'an does not mention anywhere about the execution or killing of human beings on the basis of their sexuality

[Dan]

Iran sucks!

[Colin]

Islam takes its roots of homophobia from the Christian Bible! The time of LOT when so called angels visited and the village wanted to "know" them.

If ANY stupid homophobic Christian Muslim would take the time to understand the context in the Hebrew of the day, they would discover the sin of SODOM was INHOSPITALITY not homosexuality.

By the way... will all you idiotic muslims please try to understand that homosexuals ARE NOT heterosexuals after a kinky time!
Homosexuals are people in their own right with their own set og homosexual genes, who can no more get excited over a woman that a heterosexual can get excited over a homosexual! (erm there again some sick shits in need of their kicks may)

One thing is sure and it is this.... all these murderers better believe that what they are doing IS Gods will, because if its not, theres gonna be one hell to pay when they stand on the last day to give account of themselves to God (just before they are condemned to hell I feel)

[gregy]

hi I am so surprise to find yet an article against gay in 2007!!! i am from europe (belgium) In europe gay are exactly free as others. Only europe are advanced. Iranian and some other countries are too mentally retarded. I don't understand who is authorised to kill other men because there are different in their private life!!! Religion is an invention to make corruption,war, .... Peoples in these contries make good point to go to school to be intelligient rather killing other guy.

[malaga]

My mind is like a fog. I've just been sitting around doing nothing. Today was a loss.

[John in Fort Lauderdale]

Where is the Iranian Intellectuals....??? The educated, compassionate people in Iran??? How could you send these teenagers to the gallows and sleep at nite.....What is wrong with you people?????? Somebody make sense of this for me because my heart breaks thinking about these kids. Why damn it?

[John in Fort Lauderdale]

The Iranian president at Columbia University told the crowd that homosexuality doesn't exist in IRAN. Oh sir I asure you it exists. The punishment for this "crime" is death. Who wouldn't hide it? You go after teenagers and hang them.....so your day is coming Mr. executioner and Mr. Mullah.....your day is coming

[Marissa]

I for one do not belive in homosexuality i do think its wrong but i dont think anyone deserves to die a painful death like this, or die at all over it. your going to kill someone over Allah or w.e? thats some random ass name that some person made up yea there is a god but his name isnt Allah so they can all just shut up and let America fix their sick lil country!!

[Anonymous]

What kind of inhuman people are out there? Homosexuality is perfectly normal thing, theres nothing wrong about it. HOW DARE YOU be so cruel to and judgemental to people that haven't done anything wrong!

[clare]

This is terrible, there is nothing wrong with being gay. You can't help your sexuality.... What kind of government have they got running the country?? How do they sleep at night after sending innocent teenagers to the gallows??? It's terrible.