Indictment Issued for 16 Individuals in Iran on Charges of Membership in 'Takfiri Terrorist Group'

The head of the judiciary in Fars Province announced the issuance of an indictment for 14 foreign nationals and two Iranians, who were reportedly members of a 'Takfiri terrorist group' and were arrested last year. According to the Mizan news agency, affiliated with the judiciary, Ali Al-Qasi stated on Sunday, April 6, that this indictment was issued after 'comprehensive investigations and examinations' regarding 'individuals whose charges have been confirmed.' He announced that this case is currently under review in the Revolutionary Court of Shiraz. The head of the judiciary in Fars Province had previously reported on November 2, 2016, the discovery of 'suicide operations by Takfiris' in the southern part of the province. He noted that of the 16 individuals arrested in this case, two are Iranian and 14 are foreign nationals, stating that 'the need for the implementation of plans to expel and prohibit the activity and employment of unauthorized foreign nationals is felt more than ever.' However, Mahmoud Alavi, Iran's Minister of Intelligence, reported on Wednesday, October 21, 2016, the discovery and neutralization of 'terrorist operations by Takfiri groups,' claiming that all arrested individuals were foreign. He announced that 'over 100 kilograms of explosives and equipment' were discovered from these individuals. The Minister of Intelligence did not provide further details regarding the identities of the arrested individuals or which countries they are citizens of. Alavi also did not specify which events the individuals intended to attack and in which city in Fars Province. Iranian officials refer to groups like ISIS and Al-Qaeda, as well as individuals ideologically close to Salafi groups, as 'Takfiri groups.' Iranian security officials have repeatedly reported on operations against 'terrorist' groups affiliated with ISIS in Iran over the past years, but have not provided many details about the operations conducted or the individuals arrested or killed. For instance, according to statements from Iranian security officials, in Bahman of the previous year, eight non-Iranian individuals who intended to 'disrupt' the February 11 ceremonies and carry out 'terrorist operations' in Tehran and several other cities in Iran were arrested. In December 2016, the Minister of Intelligence also stated that security forces had identified and killed 'one of the leaders of ISIS' in 'border areas' of Iran. He referred to this 'senior member of ISIS' as 'Abu Aisha Kurdi' and mentioned that he was identified and killed along with several other suicide operatives at the border. In this context, Iranian security officials confirmed in late August 2016 the occurrence of two clashes between intelligence, security, and law enforcement forces in Kermanshah Province with teams 'affiliated with ISIS' in the province, announcing that four 'ISIS-affiliated individuals' were killed and six others were arrested.