Ahmadinejad Calls Homosexuality Among 'Ugliest Acts'

Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad (file photo)

Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad has described homosexuality as one of the "ugliest" behaviors in which people can engage.

He made the comment during a speech in Shiraz.

Ahmadinejad added that, in liberal democracies, people have no real say to the point that "we see the president of a big country endorse one of the ugliest acts, like homosexuality and other shameful behaviors."

Ahmadinejad famously told an audience at Columbia University in New York City in 2007 University that there are no homosexuals in Iran.

His categorical statement brought Iranian homosexuals extensive media coverage.

By RFE/RL correspondent Golnaz Esfandiari in Prague