Mohammad Ali Taheri's Lawyer Reports New Death Sentence Issued for Him

The lawyer of Mohammad Ali Taheri, the founder of the Circle of Gnosis, announced in an interview with Radio Farda that a death sentence has once again been issued for his client, which was communicated by the Revolutionary Court on Sunday. Mahmoud Alizadeh Tabatabai added that the issued sentence is a 'first-instance ruling,' and the defense lawyers have 20 days from today to appeal to the Supreme Court. He previously stated to ISNA that he would contest the ruling and emphasized in his conversation with Radio Farda that the Supreme Court will make a final decision on this matter. Alizadeh Tabatabai reminded that regarding the previous death sentence issued for his client, the Supreme Court had annulled it, stating that Taheri's actions occurred before 2010, and Article 286 of the Islamic Penal Code was enacted in 2013, indicating that these actions do not fall under Article 286. Therefore, the ruling was annulled. The lawyer of Mohammad Ali Taheri claims that the court has once again issued its ruling based on this same article and expressed hope that the Supreme Court will overturn this ruling. According to Article 286 of the Islamic Penal Code, enacted in 2013, individuals who 'broadly commit crimes against the physical integrity of individuals, crimes against internal or external security of the country, spread falsehoods, disrupt the economic system of the country, arson and destruction, distribute toxic and dangerous substances, or establish centers of corruption and prostitution or assist in them in a way that causes severe disruption to public order, insecurity, or significant damage to the physical integrity of individuals or public and private property, or causes widespread corruption or prostitution' are recognized as 'corrupt on earth' and sentenced to death. It is unclear under which part of this article Mr. Taheri has been sentenced to death. His lawyer also states that there is no evidence that his client's actions have caused widespread corruption and, according to Article 286, 'corruption on earth,' and that Mr. Taheri cannot be subject to a law enacted after his actions. Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the spokesperson for the judiciary, announced on Sunday, August 20, that a new ruling for Mohammad Ali Taheri has been issued, but due to the 'uncertainty of the ruling,' he cannot disclose its details. Mr. Taheri established an institute called 'Circle of Gnosis' in 2001 and engaged in activities related to 'Iranian complementary medicine, energy healing, and Scientology.' He was arrested in 2011, and the initial ruling issued for him was also 'death.' However, his death sentence was annulled by the Supreme Court last year, and the case was referred back to the Revolutionary Court for reconsideration. The new death sentence for Mohammad Ali Taheri has been issued while his defense lawyer announced last February that a decision to dismiss the prosecution against his client for the charges of 'insulting the Prophet,' 'apostasy,' and 'connections with the Fedayeen Khalq guerrillas' had been issued and finalized. Amnesty International reported on Wednesday, July 5, the possibility of a new death sentence for Mohammad Ali Taheri and urged Iranian authorities to unconditionally release this political prisoner. Previously, Mr. Alizadeh Tabatabai had quoted Mr. Taheri stating that he established his institute with the participation of Mr. Alipour and Brigadier General Jorjesh, who were senior security officials in the police force and held the rank of brigadier. Supporters of Mohammad Ali Taheri have also held several protests in recent years, and some of them have been arrested and imprisoned. On Sunday, photos were published on social media indicating another protest gathering by some of Mohammad Ali Taheri's supporters in front of the Revolutionary Court. Some conservative media had previously published images of the 'fatwas' of Naser Makarem Shirazi, Lotfollah Safi Golpayegani, and Mohammad Ali Alavi Gorgani, announcing that these three religious authorities had issued a 'ruling of apostasy' against Taheri. However, the Iranian labor news agency ILNA reported on September 1, 2015, quoting Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi, stating that 'this matter (the ruling of apostasy) is not true, but he has many deviations, and participating in his classes is not permissible.' Ayatollah Alavi Gorgani also wrote in response to a question that 'there has been no definitive fatwa' regarding Mr. Taheri's 'apostasy.' In this context, the arrest of a member of the 'Circle of Gnosis' by the IRGC intelligence in Isfahan, the arrest of 12 other members of the 'Circle of Gnosis' in Isfahan, and the arrest of 11 members and supporters of the 'Circle of Gnosis' in Najafabad, Isfahan have been reported.