Thirteen Members of AROPL Tried in Iran for Alleged Crimes Against the State

Update 27th of August 2024 - We have submitted a formal complaint to the UN Special Procedures regarding the persecution of members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light in Iran. The complaint highlights the arrests, charges under Article 499 of the Iranian Penal Code, and the ongoing targeting of these individuals solely based on their religious beliefs. We hope that this submission will prompt international attention and action to address the severe human rights violations faced by these victims.

TEHRAN, Iran - Thirteen followers of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light faced trial on July 21, 2024, in Branch 3 of the Special Clerical Court. They are accused of "causing corruption in the land," "spreading propaganda against the regime," and compromising national security through their religious activities. Convictions could result in five-year prison sentences.

These individuals were detained in December 2021 by the Ministry of Intelligence and were at the time imprisoned in Evin Prison. They were coerced into signing letters of repentance, renouncing their beliefs and their leader. One adherent described being detained by the Ministry of Intelligence, handcuffed, blindfolded, and threatened at gunpoint. The individual was taken to various harsh locations before being transferred to Evin Prison, where they were pressured to renounce their faith and make false confessions. Their passports were confiscated, and their cases were escalated to the Special Clerical Court.

The case is now moving forward with the presiding judge stating that a verdict would be issued within ten to twenty days. The defendants referenced Article 23 of the Iranian Constitution, which forbids persecution based on religious beliefs, but the judge dismissed their defense. The hearing, which lasted only 30 to 45 minutes, ended without adequate time for the defendants to present their case. One member, who had previously received a suspended three-year sentence for his beliefs, was warned that this sentence would be added to any new punishment. The presiding judge furthermore dismissed the AROPL members lawyer, despite having been approved by the prosecutor's office, insisting that only court-appointed attorneys could defend them.

The AROPL community in Iran faces severe persecution and cannot practice their religion openly. Since 2019, Iranian authorities have ramped up efforts to identify and prosecute members of this faith, whose teachings oppose the principle of "Wilayat Al-Faqih" (Rule of the Jurisprudent), a core element of the Iranian regime. This opposition has led to their classification as "enemies of the state" and their religion as a "hostile and deviant group." Followers have reported home raids, arrests, and threats of execution. They live under constant surveillance, and family members are often pressured to report them. Charges such as "insulting the leadership" and "opposing the principle of the system" are frequently used against them.

Despite these challenges, the AROPL community in Iran continues to struggle for the right to practice their beliefs amid significant risks.