Iranian Official Sacked over Same-Sex Video

An official of Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance was sacked after the release of a video purportedly showing him having same-sex intercourse.

The scandal emerged last week when the Radio Gilan Telegram channel shared a video allegedly showing Reza Saghati engaging in a sexual act with a young man. 

Saghati is the director-general of Culture and Islamic Guidance in northern Gilan province. The video was purportedly recorded within the premises of the General Directorate of Culture and Islamic Guidance.

On July 19, the Gil Khabar news site reported that Saghati was dismissed from his position "due to the scandals," without providing further details.

A few days later, the General Directorate of Culture and Islamic Guidance issued a statement stating: "Immediately after the former manager of this department was suspected, the Honorable Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance ordered a thorough investigation with the involvement of security and judicial authorities.”

"In order to facilitate further research and ensure uninterrupted cultural and artistic activities, a new supervisor has been appointed for the General Directorate."

While officials had previously been dismissed for having extramarital affairs, Saghati’s dismissal raised eyebrows among many social media users who criticized the hypocrisy of government officials.

The scandal also fueled speculation that he could be the victim of a power struggle in Gilan province. Accusations of same-sex relations were used in the past to eliminate political opponents.

Peyman Behbodi, the manager of Gilan Radio's Telegram channel, said that agents of Gilan's Intelligence Department have arrested the sister and nieces of the incriminated official.

Gilan Radio had repeatedly criticized Saghati, describing him as an opponent to provincial Governor Asadollah Abbasi. 

In Iran, the punishment for homosexuality is death for men and up to 100 lashes for women. After repeat offenses, women can become subject to the death penalty.

Who is Reza Saghati?

In November 2021, Saghati was elected as director-general of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Gilan province.

Prior to this role, he held several positions within the General Administration of the department, including responsibility for the Khatam-ul-Anbiya artistic complex in Rasht.

He established the religious center of Hosseinieh Honar Rasht in 2012 and became a member of the board of another religious center, Gilan Cultural Front, in 2014.

Ensaf News has identified Vahid Jalili as the primary supporter of Hosseinieh Honar. 

Jalili, an art critic journalist, is a prominent figure among the new generation of fundamentalists and has close ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). He described Hosseinieh Honar as a place for revolutionary artists.

Additionally, Saghati has been involved with the founding of a "Chastity and Hijab Workshop" and the launch of a hijab hypermarket.

Last month, he announced the establishment of a neighborhood-based cultural center focused on chastity and hijab. 

Emphasizing the importance of addressing "concerns about hijab and chastity in society," the official stated that the "promotion and support of a chaste environment should be led and managed by the people."