Iran has sentenced two gay rights activists to death, according to a report from human rights organization Hengaw released today. 31-year old Zahra, and 24-year old Elham received the sentence for the crime of “corruption on earth” as they stand accused of promoting homosexuality. The activists are currently being held in the women’s section of the Urmia Central Prison.
Zahra has reportedly been denied access to legal counsel by Iranian authorities and has faced threats and verbal abuse while in custody, according to human rights organizations. Local gay rights activists are urging the international community to step in on behalf of the two women. Reports indicate that Zahra was arrested when trying to flee Iran for Turkey in October, 2021. She was then held in solitary confinement for two months before being moved to a general prison.
Zahra and Elham were reportedly made aware of their death sentences in the last couple of days. Local human rights organizations are still unaware of when the executions will take place.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has a long history of executing members of the LGBT community. A 2008 British WikiLeaks document estimated that between 4,000 and 6,000 people had been executed for being LGBT in Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution.