IRAN - 2 Iranian women sentenced to death for their sexual orientation

IRAN - Zahra Sedighi Hamedani

16 September 2022 :

2 Iranian women sentenced to death for their sexual orientation
The Revolutionary Court of Urmia has sentenced to death Zahra Sedighi Hamedani, 31, and Elham Choobdar, 24, for their homosexual orientation. They are accused of “spreading corruption on earth” by promoting “homosexuality” and “Christianity” and "communicating with the media opposing the Islamic Republic".
The authorities of the Central Prison of Urmia informed the 2 women of their sentences on September 3, 2022.
Zahra Sedighi Hamedani, also known as Sareh, comes from Naghadeh, a city in West Azerbaijan Province. Elham Choobdar comes from Urmia, the province’s capital.
A 3rd woman is also involved in the same case. Soheila Ashrafi, 52, is detained in the women’s ward of Urmia Prison and awaiting her verdict.
Sedighi Hamedani, also known as Sareh, a prominent Iranian LGBTI activist, was arrested on October 27, 2021 by Iranian security forces while trying to flee into neighboring Turkey after returning to Iran from Iraqi Kurdistan, where she had been based.
Before leaving Iraqi Kurdistan, Sedighi Hamedani had sent gay rights group 6Rang videos to be made public in case she failed to make it to safety.
“We, the LGBTI community, are suffering. Whether through death or freedom, we will remain true to ourselves,” she said in one of the videos.
“I hope to achieve freedom,” she added, also alleging that she had been tortured with methods including electrocution while in Iraqi Kurdish custody.
Zahra Sedighi Hamedani was arrested on October 27, 2021, as she was attempting to cross the border into Turkey. Agents of the Intelligence Department of West Azerbaijan arrested her. After two months of detention in solitary confinement, she was relocated to the women’s ward.
Zahra Sedighi Hamedani was deprived of having access to her lawyer. In addition to verbal harassment, and insulting her sexual orientation, prison guards threatened to execute her. The authorities also took away from her the custody of her 2 children.
On November 6, 2021, the Revolutionary Guard Corps Intelligence in West Azerbaijan province announced that they had caught the leader of a network involved in smuggling Iranian girls and women to neighboring countries through a complex, extraterritorial intelligence operation. The IRGC Intelligence said Ms. Sedighi Hamedani supported homosexual groups that work under the protection of foreign intelligence services.
The mullahs’ Supreme Leader Ali Khamanei said homosexuality was part of a “moral deprivation” widespread in Western civilization.
Same-sex activities are punishable by imprisonment, corporal punishment, fines, or execution in Iran.
Advocates and rights grousp took to social media to share pictures of the 2 women, saying they are LGBT rights activists and are innocent.
"Contrary to news published online, the sentenced have deceived and trafficked young women and girls out of the country by promising them educational and work opportunities, thus leading to the suicide of several of their victims," IRNA said.
"Corruption on earth" is a term Iranian authorities use to refer to a broad range of offences, including those related to Islamic morals.
In March, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei described homosexuality as part of a "moral deprivation" widespread in Western civilisation.
Western rights groups have often criticised Iran for its treatment of LGBT issues. Under Iran's legal system, homosexual acts can be punished by the death penalty.