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(Tehran) Two men have been hanged in a public
square in northern Iran after being found guilty of homosexuality a
semi-official newspaper reported on Sunday.
The daily newspaper Kayhan said that the
execution was carried out in the
northern city of Gorgan. The paper reported the men had been found guilty under
Islamic law of lavat, or homosexual sex.
The report identified the men, identified as Mokhtar N., 24, and Ali A., 25. The
account claimed the men had “criminal past” that included kidnapping and
rape.
Similar allegations have been made in the past
when Iran executed gay men. Exiled Iranian groups say that the allegations
are commonly used to justify hangings.
Homosexuality is a capital offense under Islamic
law and gays have been under increasing pressure.
In August, another gay man was executed for
homosexuality. (story)
On July 19 two gay teenagers were executed in the
northeastern city of Mashhad. (story)
The hangings sparked international outrage.
The Iranian government maintains the teens had
raped a 13 year old boy - an allegation that many international rights groups
discounted.
The exiled Iranian gay rights group, Homan,
claims the Iranian government has executed at least 4,000 gays since 1979.
Several European countries halted extraditions of
Iranian gays back to country following the executions. But, both the US and
Britain have been silent on the issue.
©365Gay.com 2005
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