Young Iranian Man Executed for Alleged Sex Crime
Wed. December 5, 2007 12:00 AM
New York, NY -
The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission said Wednesday that a 21-year-old Iranian citizen spared from execution only 10 days ago was executed today in an Iranian prison. This despite an order by the Iranian Chief Justice to nullify the death sentence.
"This is a shameful and outrageous travesty of justice and international human rights law," said Paula Ettelbrick, IGLHRC's executive director. "How many more young Iranians have to die before the international community takes action?"
Makvan Mouloodzadeh was accused of committing anal rape (ighab) with other young boys when he was 13 years old. However, during the trial all the witnesses retracted their pre-trial testimonies, claiming to have lied to the authorities under duress.
This case has caused an international uproar, and prompted a letter writing campaign by IGLHRC and similar actions by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Outrage! and Everyone Group. In response to mounting public pressure, the impending death sentence of Mouloodzadeh was nullified.
Neither the family of Mouloodzadeh or his lawyer were told about the execution until after it occurred. IGLHRC says it is still investigating the facts in this case.
"This is a shameful and outrageous travesty of justice and international human rights law," said Paula Ettelbrick, IGLHRC's executive director. "How many more young Iranians have to die before the international community takes action?"
Makvan Mouloodzadeh was accused of committing anal rape (ighab) with other young boys when he was 13 years old. However, during the trial all the witnesses retracted their pre-trial testimonies, claiming to have lied to the authorities under duress.
This case has caused an international uproar, and prompted a letter writing campaign by IGLHRC and similar actions by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Outrage! and Everyone Group. In response to mounting public pressure, the impending death sentence of Mouloodzadeh was nullified.
Neither the family of Mouloodzadeh or his lawyer were told about the execution until after it occurred. IGLHRC says it is still investigating the facts in this case.