Draconian Law's Newest Victim
The Hypocrisy of Power: Iran's Hijab Enforcer Sentenced to 100 Lashes for Homosexuality
Former Iranian official who enforced strict hijab laws faces punishment for homosexuality, highlighting regime hypocrisy.
The very system he once enforced with an iron fist has turned on one of its own. A former high-ranking official in Iran's Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance has been sentenced to 100 lashes and internal exile after being found "guilty" of homosexual acts. The case has sent shockwaves through the country, highlighting the stark hypocrisy of a regime that imposes draconian laws while its enforcers operate outside of them.
Reza Seghati, the former head of the ministry in Gilan province, was a key figure in enforcing Iran's strict dress codes. He was known for his ruthless adherence to the "chastity and hijab" laws, which have intensified since Parliament passed new, sweeping legislation in 2023. This law includes penalties of up to 15 years in prison and even the death sentence for women who refuse to wear the veil. Authorities have deployed advanced surveillance technology, including facial recognition on traffic cameras, to identify and punish violators.
Yet, despite his role in this oppressive system, Seghati now faces its full force. Under Iranian law, same-sex relations are a severe crime, punishable by flogging or execution. While Seghati and his partner were spared the death penalty, his sentence of 100 lashes and exile serves as a brutal reminder of the regime's unforgiving nature.
The Stalled Law and Continued Enforcement
The new "chastity and hijab" law, with its 74 articles, was formally stalled in May after Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf revealed that the Supreme National Security Council had ordered lawmakers not to implement it. However, this has not led to a relaxation of rules.
Despite the suspension of the new legislation, authorities have continued to enforce existing laws with renewed vigor. Human rights organizations report that women are receiving automated text messages warning them of hijab violations detected by surveillance cameras. In Tehran, the Revolutionary Guards have established a new unit to enforce dress codes, and a state-sponsored "clinic" offers "scientific and psychological treatment" to women who resist veiling.
Seghati's case, widely reported by news outlets like Iran International, has become a symbol of a system that is as cruel as it is inconsistent. His downfall at the hands of the very laws he championed exposes the moral and legal contradictions at the heart of the Iranian regime.