Alireza Fazeli Monfared (20) likely kidnapped and beheaded by his brother and cousins for being gay

Alireza Fazeli Monfared
born: 2001
decapitated: 2021
Residence: Ahwaz, Iran
Children: -
Perpetrators: probably his brother and cousins

The 20-year-old Alireza Fazeli Monfared had wanted to flee Iran to join his friend in Turkey and seek asylum there. His family prevented that scenario and decided that Alireza should be killed because he is gay. His brother and cousins then brutally kidnapped and murdered him, leaving his decapitated body under a tree near the city of Ahwaz.

Human rights activists expect that Iran's rulers will not go to great lengths to get justice for Alireza Fazeli, because gays in Iran are disadvantaged in many ways.

We would appreciate receiving more information about this case!

What is an honour killing?

An honour killing is a murder in the name of honour. If a brother murders his sister to restore family honour, it is an honour killing. According to activists, the most common reasons for honour killings are as the victim:

refuses to cooperate in an arranged marriage.
wants to end the relationship.
was the victim of rape or sexual assault.
was accused of having a sexual relationship outside of marriage.

Human rights activists believe that 100,000 honour killings are carried out every year, most of which are not reported to the authorities and some are even deliberately covered up by the authorities themselves, for example because the perpetrators are good friends with local policemen, officials or politicians. Violence against girls and women remains a serious problem in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Serbia and Turkey.