Knifing of LGBT asylum seeker a hate crime: Activists

The LGBT Asylum Support is again calling on State Secretary Klaas Dijkhoff of Security and Justice for support in protecting LGBT asylum seekers. This follows a gay asylum seeker from Iran sustaining serious injuries after being stabbed by a group of other asylum seekers from North Africa. The police believe it was a drug related crime, but it was a hate crime, LGBT Asylum Support said in a press release.

The attack happened in an asylum center in Groningen in mid-Septtember. The victim was attacked by a North African asylum seeker. According to the the activists, the North African man initially wanted to stab the victim in his heart, but his friends convinced him to do otherwise. The victim was then stabbed in the legs several times. He sustained an arterial hemorrhage and fainted from shock and loss of blood.

LGBT Asylum Support posted the graphic, uncensored photo along with the press release text on their Facebook page.

The police believe that the attack had to do with a drug deal, according to the statement. But according to LGBT Asylum Support, the victim himself and witnesses, he was attacked for being gay. After the attack, the perpetrator's friends dipped their fingers in the victim's blood and told the offender that he would be rewarded with paradise and 72 virgins.

The perpetrator was arrested. The victim spent 5 days in hospital and was then placed in another asylum center for his safety. He was since moved again after running into friends of the perpetrator.

The COA, LGBT Asylum Support and COC Nederland are calling on the government for help in protecting LGBT asylum seekers.