Student left Iran to escape homophobic persecution
Alex Wagstaff
Managing Editor
A Seneca student was left with a non-fatal cut to his throat after an alleged homophobic and racist attack at Seneca@York.
The attack happened November 25 around 11 a.m., was witnessed by other students, and was caught on security footage.
The student, identified as 22-year-old “Mojtaba,” said in an interview with Xtra! that he was attacked by a fellow student with whom he shares two classes. He said his alleged attacker called him a “bitch” and a “faggot” and to “leave here and go back to your fucking country.”
Mojtaba says he challenged the man to repeat himself, but that the male instead began to beat him. At some point he cut Mojtaba across the throat, leaving behind a gash. Ink remnants led him to believe he was attacked with a pen.
Mojtaba immigrated to Canada in 2009 from Iran to escape homophobic persecution. He says he did not see a doctor, nor did he go to the hospital.
According to Xtra! magazine, Toronto police arrested a 21-year-old man shortly afterwards and charged him with assault with a weapon.
