Saeed Toosi
| Saeed Toosi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
Muhammed Gandomnejad Toosi[1] 1970 (age 47–48)[2] |
| Nationality | Iran |
| Occupation | Qāriʾ |
| Criminal status | Acquitted (appellate court)[3] |
| Criminal charge |
Lavat[4] Child sexual abuse[4] |
| Penalty | 4 years in prison (court of first instance)[3] |
Saeed Toosi (Persian: سعید طوسی, translit. Saʿīd Tusi) is an Iranian prominent Qur'an reciter and teacher. He is winner of the several first prizes in both internationally and locally competitions, notably 1998 International Quran Recital Competition.
Child sexual abuse lawsuit
In October 2016, VOA-PNN shed light on Toosi's case in which he accused of bache bazi or sexually abusing nineteen[5] of his prepubescent Qur'an students over the past years (four plaintiffs are confirmed). It is unknown whether the charges could include homosexual rape, which could carry the death penalty.[2][4]
The anonymous plaintiffs claim that complaints made through legal channels were covered up or ignored by the authorities in order to protect the reputation of Iranian regime.[6]
Toosi issued a denial statement rejecting all of the claims, which he called “total lies”. The allegations were "aimed at discrediting the state’s religious foundations and its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei," Toosi said.[6] He stated he had never engaged in "such sins" and "actions incompatible with chastity."[2]
In January 2018, an official Iranian media published a copy of the Tehran court’s ruling confirming that Toosi was acquitted of charges of sexually molesting and raping four of the victims who filed complaints with the judiciary against him, annulling a preliminary decision that was issued by the Court of Appeal sentencing Toosi to four years in prison. The acquittal caused controversy among the nation and officials, exposing the influence of elite groups over the judiciary system. The Tehran court’s decision stated that “even if it is proved that the defendant has committed the act, it does not mean that he has committed a crime for which the law and the judiciary will be held accountable”.[3]
References
- ↑ "South Africa welcomes Iranian Quran reciters". Islamic Culture and Relations Organization. September 21, 2005.
- 1 2 3 Esfandiari, Golnaz (October 24, 2016). "Prominent Iranian Koran Reciter Accused Of Sexual Abuse". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
- 1 2 3 "Iran judiciary slammed for freeing reciter accused of raping 19 kids". The Baghdad Post. 2018-01-28. Retrieved 2018-01-28.
- 1 2 3 Kamali Dehghan, Saeed (October 26, 2016). "Iran rocked by abuse allegations against top Qur'an reciter". The Guardian. Retrieved October 26, 2016.
- ↑ "Child rape: Iran's top Quran reciter to face court". News of Bahrain. October 25, 2016.
- 1 2 McKernan, Bethan (October 26, 2016). "Top Qu'ran reciter accused of sexually abusing teenage students in first case of its kind case in Iran". The Independent. Retrieved October 26, 2016.