Mohammad Ali Taheri, the founder of a new spiritual group Erfan-e Halgheh, was on hunger strike for about 70 days. He was protesting his death sentence for “spreading corruption on earth” through his spiritual beliefs and teachings. Furthermore, he has risen up against the Iranian authorities’ refusal to allow him access to his lawyers and to get a copy of the court verdict.
On 21 October, his family confirmed that Taheri ended his hunger strike.
Taheri he has not been able to meet his legal representative since 22 August, a few days after the lawyer submitted an appeal against the death sentence.
While waiting for any information about the status of the appeal, Taheri’s physical health is
deteriorating. He has lost weight and is suffering from low blood pressure. He was taken to the prison clinic for a few hours on 18 September after he lost consciousness.
Since detained, Mohammad Ali Taheri has undertaken 12 hunger strikes and attempted suicide four times in protest of his prolonged solitary confinement, lack of access to his family and lawyer and repeated threats to kill him and his family. After Taheri’s 12th hunger strike, in December 2014, the authorities granted him access to a lawyer of his own choosing and permitted weekly meetings with his wife.
On 21 October, his family confirmed that Taheri ended his hunger strike.
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| (Source: amnesty.org) |
Taheri he has not been able to meet his legal representative since 22 August, a few days after the lawyer submitted an appeal against the death sentence.
While waiting for any information about the status of the appeal, Taheri’s physical health is
deteriorating. He has lost weight and is suffering from low blood pressure. He was taken to the prison clinic for a few hours on 18 September after he lost consciousness.
Mohammad Ali Taheri established the Erfan-e Halgheh institute in Tehran, using healing concepts and treating patients with psychological and medical conditions. The Iranian regime doesn’t recognise Taheri’s group, as in case of other groups that promote alternative spiritual beliefs. As the authorities see them as national security threats, religious minorities are harshly persecuted.
For that reason, the offices of Taheri’s institute were shut down back in August 2010. In October 2011 he was charged with several offences and sentenced to five years' imprisonment, 74 lashes and a heavy fine. He has served this prison sentence in solitary confinement in Tehran’s Evin Prison. Amnesty International understands that Mohammad Ali Taheri’s death sentence is based on the same religious teachings that lead to his convictions in October 2011.
Since detained, Mohammad Ali Taheri has undertaken 12 hunger strikes and attempted suicide four times in protest of his prolonged solitary confinement, lack of access to his family and lawyer and repeated threats to kill him and his family. After Taheri’s 12th hunger strike, in December 2014, the authorities granted him access to a lawyer of his own choosing and permitted weekly meetings with his wife.
Amnesty International considers Mohammad Ali Taheri a prisoner of conscience and urges the Iranian authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally.
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