Iran’s Supreme Court confirmed a flogging sentence for an extramarital relationship of two “accused” in Mashhad northeastern Iran yesterday.
According to the Human Rights News Agency, the man and woman were identified as 23-year-old Mostafa and 20-year-old Sakineh. Mostafa was charged with the murder of Sakineh’s husband as well.
Mostafa was sentenced to death for first-degree murder, one year of prison for illegal possession of a gun, and 99 lashes for an extramarital relationship. Sakineh was sentenced to 15 years of prison for her role as an accomplice in the murder, and 99 lashes for an extramarital relationship.
Iran’s use of degrading punishments and torture
The Iranian regime is one of the few states that still uses degrading punishments, even though all international civil and political rights conventions have prohibited the use of inhumane punishments such as execution and flogging.
Flogging is regularly handed out by the regime to its political opponents including protesters, and dissidents.
More than 100 “offenses” are punishable by flogging under Iranian law. The offenses include theft, assault, vandalism, defamation, extramarital relationships, and fraud. They also cover acts that should not be criminalized, such as adultery, intimate relationships between unmarried men and women, “breach of public morals” and consensual same-sex sexual relations.
Source » irannewswire