Iran carries out execution for juvenile crimes

By Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk • December 5, 2007 - 17:58

On June 7th 2007, the Seventh District Criminal Court of Kermanshah in Western Iran found him guilty and sentenced him to death.

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Makvan Mouloodzadeh was executed in Kermanshah Central Prison at 5 a.m. this morning, Iranian time.

Neither Mr Mouloodzadeh's family or his lawyer were told about the execution until after it occurred.

The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) reports that despite an order by the Iranian Chief Justice to nullify his death sentence, he was put to death.

"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?"

Mr. Mouloodzadeh was a 21-year-old Iranian citizen who was accused of committing anal rape (ighab) with other young boys when he was 13 years old.

However, at Mr. Mouloodzadeh's trial, all the witnesses retracted

their pre-trial testimonies, claiming to have lied to the authorities under duress.

Makvan also told the court that his confession was made under coercion and pleaded not guilty.

On June 7th 2007, the Seventh District Criminal Court of Kermanshah in Western Iran found him guilty and sentenced him to death.

Despite his lawyer's appeal, the Supreme Court upheld his death sentence on August 1st 2007.

The case 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.

Mr. Mouloodzadeh's execution came days after a panel at the UN General Assembly passed a resolution calling for a moratorium on the death penalty.

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