On 27 August a Revolutionary Court in Tehran sentenced spiritual teacher Mohammad Ali Taheri to death for “spreading corruption on earth” for establishing the spiritual group Erfan-e Halgheh. He has been held in solitary confinement for over six years.
The verdict states that the conviction is for establishing Erfan-e Halgheh and “corrupting the thoughts and beliefs of tens of thousands of Muslim citizens across the country” and cites as “evidence” Mohammad Ali Taheri’s books, writings and teachings. His lawyer has 20 days to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. Mohammad Ali Taheri’s trial took place over two sessions: 6 March and 10 July. Prior to his first court hearing, Iranian state television aired Satan’s Ring, a programme which introduced him as the leader of a “perverse sect” and claimed his teachings had led people to doubt their Islamic beliefs. At the end of the programme, individuals who described themselves as “survivors” called for his execution. This programme was played during the 10 July trial session, along with videos of Mohammad Ali Taheri teaching at Erfan-e Halgheh classes prior to his 2011 arrest.
This is the third time the authorities had sought the death penalty against Mohammad Ali Taheri for the same activities. The authorities have kept him in solitary confinement in Section 2A of Evin prison, where he remains imprisoned, while they claimed to be carrying out investigations. He was ultimately convicted of “spreading corruption on earth” in 2015 and sentenced to death, but acquitted on appeal in 2016. However, he was not released and, in late 2016, was charged with “spreading corruption on earth” for the same activities that formed the basis of his 2011 conviction.
