Three Members of 'Irfan Halqeh' Arrested in Shiraz

A news agency close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported that three members of 'Irfan Halqeh' in Shiraz were arrested on charges of 'coordination' for 'holding a gathering' in protest against the death sentence issued for Mohammad Ali Taheri. The Tasnim news agency announced on Thursday, September 9, that Zahra Bozorgpour, Kiaramin Mohammadzadeh, and Moslem Momeni were the three members arrested in Shiraz. The news agency claimed that these three individuals coordinated for an 'illegal gathering' in Shiraz and other provinces after the death sentence was issued for Mohammad Ali Taheri. In recent days, following the issuance of the death sentence for Mohammad Ali Taheri, reports have emerged of small gatherings by some of his supporters. Supporters of Mohammad Ali Taheri have held several protests in recent years, and some of them have been arrested and imprisoned. Mahmoud Alizadeh Tabatabai, the lawyer for Mohammad Ali Taheri, the founder of 'Irfan Halqeh', stated in an interview with Radio Farda that a death sentence was once again issued for his client, and this sentence was communicated by the Revolutionary Court on Sunday. According to Mr. Alizadeh Tabatabai, the Supreme Court had previously annulled the initial death sentence, citing that Mr. Taheri's actions occurred before 2010 and that Article 286 of the Islamic Penal Code was enacted in 2013. However, he announced that the court had once again issued its ruling based on Article 286 of the Islamic Penal Code. The lawyer expressed hope that the new death sentence would also be annulled by the Supreme Court. Based on Article 286 of the Islamic Penal Code, enacted in 2013, individuals who 'extensively commit crimes against the physical integrity of individuals, crimes against the internal or external security of the country, spread falsehoods, disrupt the economic system of the country, commit 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 'mohareb' and are sentenced to death. It is unclear under which part of this article Mr. Taheri has been sentenced to death. Mr. Taheri's lawyer also stated that there is no evidence that his client's actions have caused widespread corruption and, according to Article 286, 'mohareb', and that Mr. Taheri cannot be subject to a law enacted after his actions. Mr. Taheri established an institute called 'Irfan Halqeh' in 2001 and engaged in activities related to 'Iranian complementary medicine, energy healing, and Scientology'. He was arrested in 2011, and the initial sentence issued for him was also 'death'. However, last year, his death sentence was annulled by the Supreme Court, 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 lawyer had previously announced in Bahman of last year that the order to discontinue the prosecution of his client from the charges of 'insulting the Prophet', 'apostasy', and 'connection with the Fedayeen Khalq guerrillas' had been issued and finalized. Amnesty International reported on July 14 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 stated, quoting Mr. Taheri, that he established his institute with the participation of Mr. Alipour and Brigadier General Jorjosh, who were senior security officials of the police force and held the rank of brigadier. Some conservative media outlets had previously published images of 'fatwas' from Nasir Makarem Shirazi, Lotfollah Safi Golpayegani, and Mohammad Ali Alavi Gorgani, announcing that these three religious authorities had issued a 'fatwa of apostasy' against Taheri. However, the Iranian Labor News Agency, ILNA, reported on September 10, 2015, quoting Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi, that 'such a statement (the fatwa 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 'no definitive fatwa' regarding Mr. Taheri's 'apostasy' has been issued. In this context, 11 members and supporters of 'Irfan Halqeh' were arrested in Najafabad, Isfahan, and the lawyer for Mohammad Ali Taheri reported the issuance of a new death sentence for him. 12 other members of 'Irfan Halqeh' were arrested in Isfahan. A letter from 'three thousand people' protested against 'pressure on the judges' of the case of the founder of 'Irfan Halqeh'.