|
Eighty
gay men arrested in Iran
14 May 2007-Iran- Eighty members of the Iranian gay community
have been arrested by the security personnel in Isfahan. Security forces
raided a birthday party, assaulted the host, his parents and all the
guests. Everyone at the party was arrested on the spot.
Police used batons to beat those arrested before taking those
celebrating the birthday of a man, named as Farhad, into custody
including Farhad’s family who were present.
In a phone call, party-goer Peyman said: “I went to buy a gift for
Farhad and so I arrived late for the party. As soon as I turned in to
their street, I saw police cars parked everywhere; all my friends were
arrested while seven or eight policeman beat them with batons. Fearing
the usual punishments for attending a party, two had jumped from the
second-floor window and were in a bad condition. Farhad’s family were
also arrested. Everyone was transported into a big car and taken into
custody. All their cell phones are off and we have no information about
the situation inside the jail.”
Another person present at the party, Kia, reported: “Guests had come
from Shiraz, Tehran, Shahin Shahr to Isfahan for Farhad’s birthday. When
they were coming out of the house followed by the police, their clothes
were ripped, their faces and bodies were covered in blood. They were
beaten up badly.”
Reports state that the next morning all those arrested were taken to
court, and later to jail. The court is not permitting the families of
those arrested to visit their children, and is not accepting bail for
their temporary release.
Farzin said: “A few girls were among the guest and were also arrested
but were released the next day. All the gay men and at the party are now
in jail. I am extremely worried for their wellbeing and I fear that
those of us who were not in the party, will be arrested next.”
On Sunday May 13, The Iranian Queer Organisation, IRQO, received news
that the arrestees are being tortured and suffering bad conditions in
the jail in Isfahan. They are also concerned that their may be in
danger.
|
