Iranian Official Overseeing 'Piety' Removed in Wake of Gay Sex Tape Allegations

An Iranian official tasked with overseeing the country's Islamic moral code has been removed over allegations he was caught on video having sex with another man, The Times of Israel reported.

"The authenticity of the tape, which allegedly shows Gilan province's head of culture and Islamic guidance, Reza Tsaghati, has not been verified," the account noted.

The BBC reported that the video "has caused furore online," and that "Mr. Tsaghati is the founder of a cultural center focused on piety and the hijab."

The BBC added, "Some have said the removal of Mr. Tsaghati from his post highlighted the difference in how Iranian officials are treated when accused of a crime compared to the LGBT+ community, or women who do not adhere to Islamic rules."

The Times of Israel noted that the allegations have emerged in the wake of protests that followed the death of an Iranian woman, Mahsa Amini, after she was detained "by the morality police for allegedly breaching Iran's dress code for women."

Iranian law is even stricter regarding sex between people of the same gender.

"Under Iranian law, which is based on Sharia, same-sex relations are viewed as crimes that carry a maximum penalty of death," the BBC said. "This severe punishment has seldom been used, but the LGBT+ community face daily discrimination."

The Daily Beast detailed that "Iranian culture minister Mohammad Mehdi Esmaili said on Saturday [July 29] that the government had no prior knowledge of the tape of any misconduct by Tsaghati, according to the BBC."

"The statement comes after the government was initially slow to react to the video, which remains under investigation."

Tsaghati, The Daily Beast said, was relieved of his post "once the sex tape featuring him began circulating online earlier this month."