Religious fanatics in Iraq have begun using the internet to lure gays to their deaths in an escalating wave of homophobic atrocities which began after the US-led invasion of that country. Bodies of gay men on the streets of Iraq. Pic: AP The Observer reports that religious zealots seeking to restore the image of Islam are lurking in chat rooms and dating sites. "Animals deserve more pity than the dirty people who practise such depraved sexual acts," says a computer science graduate who lures gay men to their doom. He says victims are given the chance "to ask God for forgiveness" before they are killed. A man quoted by the Observer said that after his gay son went missing the family received a note smeared with the boy's "purified" blood and instructions guiding them to his body, which was found showing signs of torture including having his genitals removed. The US Army is slowly beginning to investigate reports of anti-gay atrocities in Iraq, including men being abducted from their homes in the night, set alight and beheaded. Under Sadam Hussein homosexuality was not a criminal offense and Baghdad had a relatively thriving gay scene. Since the arrival of the US-led forces who have taken over civil security functions religious fanatics have turned to enforcing strict Islamic codes of behaviour.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 16th September 2009 - 7:49pm