Amnesty International: There is a possibility of a death sentence for Mohammad Ali Taheri

The human rights organization Amnesty International stated in a notice that there is a possibility of the execution of Mohammad Ali Taheri, the founder of 'Erfan Halqeh', who is imprisoned in Iran on charges such as 'insulting sacred beliefs'. In the notice published on Wednesday, May 13, it is mentioned: 'Mohammad Ali Taheri, who has been in solitary confinement in Evin prison for four years due to his spiritual beliefs and teachings and under the accusation of 'insulting Islamic sanctities', is currently undergoing a retrial on the charge of 'corruption on earth', which could lead to his execution.' According to this international and non-governmental human rights organization, Mr. Taheri has so far staged 12 hunger strikes and attempted suicide four times in protest against 'his prolonged detention in solitary confinement, lack of access to a lawyer, lack of permission to meet with his family, and the repeated threats to kill him, his wife, and children.' Mohammad Ali Taheri, who established an institute called 'Erfan Halqeh' in 2001 to provide services related to 'Iranian complementary medicine, advanced therapy, and sientology', was arrested in 2011. The accusations against him, according to Amnesty International and his relatives, include 'insulting Islamic sanctities, committing illegal acts such as touching non-mahram, illegal treatment of patients, spreading deviant thoughts, blasphemy, establishing an illegal organization, and membership in anti-revolutionary groups.' The Fars News Agency had previously reported that Mr. Taheri's case regarding the charge of 'corruption on earth' is under review and that three clerics have issued a fatwa declaring his apostasy following inquiries from the judiciary. This news agency also reported the sentencing of 16 members of 'Erfan Halqeh' to a total of 37 years in prison and a fine of 130 million tomans. These sentences come at a time when officials of the Islamic Republic claim that no one is imprisoned in Iran for their beliefs.