The Iranian government’s got quite an anti-gay reputation. And for good reason: the execute gay people. By some miracle, however, at least one Iranian judge manifested a heart and spared two gay teens their lives.
Iranian-American attorney Lily Mazahery tells Michael Petrelis:
As legal experts continue the debate about the recent orders of two Tehran province judges, holding that the death sentence of a 15 year old boy, Nosrat, should be commuted because he had not reached the requisite mental maturity, in a separate ruling, the judges of Branch 74 of Tehran province’s general criminal court, used the same reasoning to commute the death sentences of 2 other teenagers today. Instead, the teenagers were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment each.
The boys have been accused of sexually assaulting a twelve-year old. Now, we’re not about the death penalty, obviously, but obviously this kids need some sort of guidance. Whether they get what they need in prison remains to be seen. We’ve got a feeling they’ll come out more twisted, but that’s better than being dead.
If only the Iranian government would send them to Rosie’s theater camp.
That’ll straighten ’em out…
Bryan
If anything could get me to support a conflict in the middle east it would be atrocities like this. I believe that in Iran “prison” is not the cushy situation we have here, but 10 years hard labor under grueling conditions with no rights and severe abuse.
I don’t find anything humorous about news like this, but I do think it’s crucial that you continue to publish these stories. It really puts everything in perspective. We start to realize that while the fight by and large is successful in the United States, gays are severely persecuted in other countries, particularly Muslim ones.
KJ
I do not know the particulars about this case, but when Islamic fascism is the motivator, charges are often created (e.g., wearing women’s clothing, assault, etc.) in order to justify the punishment.
Paul Raposo
“The boys have been accused of sexually assaulting a twelve-year old.”
That’s the same bullshit story they used two years ago when they hanged two other gay teens. there never was any proof that they assaulted a child.
http://direland.typepad.com/direland/2005/07/iran_executes_2.html
cjc
As much as I don’t want World War III to happen, I’m agreeing with Bryan. Sadly, as the Iraq experience has taught us, the aftermath might even be worse for LGBTs in Iran, just as it has been for Iraqi gays.
My heart breaks for them and it makes me want to work to get better asylum rules for the United States. Lord knows we’re not perfect, but if we messed up their country, we owe it to them to give them an escape route and help to start a new life here.
David
The excessive gathering. Until you visit the graves.but no,indeed,you sall soon know.that you shal surely see hell ?
David
(I do not worship what you worship) With the fire closed above the.