Founder of Circle Mysticism in Iran Sentenced to Death

The lawyer of Mohammad Ali Taheri, the founder of 'Circle Mysticism' in Iran, announced that a death sentence has been issued for his client on charges of 'corruption on earth' by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, but added that the court has 'not yet notified' this ruling. According to Tasnim News Agency, Mahmoud Alizadeh Tabatabai, Mr. Taheri's lawyer, stated on Saturday, June 30, 'I have learned that the court has issued a death sentence, but it has not yet been notified.' He emphasized that all of Mr. Taheri's 'activities were conducted with permission' and 'there was no evidence in the case' indicating that his actions were criminal. According to Tasnim News Agency, Mr. Taheri has been sentenced to death for 'corruption on earth by misleading individuals.' Mohammad Ali Taheri, who established an institute called 'Circle Mysticism' in 2001 to provide services related to 'Iranian complementary medicine, transpersonal therapy, and sientology,' was arrested in 2011. According to the International Human Rights Campaign in Iran, Mr. Taheri was previously arrested in 2010 and released after 67 days in solitary confinement. Fars News Agency had previously reported that Mr. Taheri's case for 'corruption on earth' was under review, and three religious authorities had issued a ruling of apostasy against him following inquiries made by the judiciary. Meanwhile, according to Tasnim News Agency, the court declared the investigations conducted regarding the charge of 'corruption on earth' to be incomplete, and the case was sent back to the prosecutor's office for further investigation, which ultimately led to the court session regarding this charge being held in early May. According to this report, Mr. Taheri has also been sentenced to five years in prison, a fine of 900 million tomans, and 74 lashes for other charges including 'insulting the sacred, illegal interference in medical matters and treatment of patients, committing forbidden acts and illicit relationships, unauthorized use of scientific titles (doctor and engineer), and the misleading nature of his books and works.' Amnesty International announced on Wednesday, May 23, that Mr. Taheri has staged 12 hunger strikes and attempted suicide four times in protest of 'his prolonged detention in solitary confinement, lack of access to a lawyer, lack of visitation rights with his family, and repeated threats against him and his wife and children.' Supporters of Mr. Taheri had previously gathered in front of Evin Prison and the Human Rights Headquarters of the Judiciary to demand his release. Additionally, one of Mr. Taheri's court sessions, which was scheduled for Tuesday, March 6, 2015, was postponed after his supporters gathered in front of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. Meanwhile, Fars News Agency had previously reported the conviction of 16 members of 'Circle Mysticism' to a total of 37 years in prison and a fine of 130 million tomans.