Iran: Three men were executed convicted of sodomy

Iran Human Rights, September 5: According to the reports from Iran, six people were hanged in the Karoun prison of Ahvaz (southwest of Iran) early Sunday morning September 4th.

The state run Iranian news agency ISNA reported that three of those executed were sentenced to death by the Ahvaz revolution court, convicted of "unlawful" acts and acts against Sharia, based on the articles 108 and 110 of the Iranian Islamic penal code. Articles 108 and 110 of the Iranian Islamic Penal code are part of the chapter covering the punishment of "Hadd" for "sodomy". Article 108 says: "Sodomy (or Lavat) is sexual intercourse between men”, and article 110 says:”Punishment for sodomy is killing; the Sharia judge decides on how to carry out the killing".

The men were identified as: "M. T.", "T. T." and "M. Ch." (age not mentioned for any of them) and besides being convicted of sodomy, had also committed other offences such as kidnapping and robbery, said the report.

Condemning the executions, the spokesperson of Iran Human Rights (IHR), Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, said: ”Yesterday’s executions for sodomy might be among the rare cases were the Iranian authorities admit to having executed men convicted of homosexual acts". He added: "Iranian authorities normally present such cases as rape, but rape as not been mentioned in this case".

IHR is currently investigating the case of the three men executed for sodomy.

According to ISNA, the three others executed in Ahvaz today, were "A. H." convicted of keeping and trafficking of 6309 grams of heroin, and "J. N." and "A. Sh." convicted of rape and robbery.

The report didn’t mention the age of those who were executed.

Amiry-Moghaddam warned about a new wave of executions scheduled for the coming weeks in Iran. He said: "After a short break in the executions due to the Holy month of Ramadan, we have received reports about many scheduled executions in the coming days and weeks in Iran". Amiry-Moghaddam added: "Many of the scheduled executions are planned to be carried out publically".

Mahmoud Asgari and Ayaz Marhoni were hanged convicted of sodomy and rape in 2005. Many Rights groups believe that the Iranian authorities present execution for homosexuality as rape, to make it more acceptable to the international community.