“Insulting the Prophet” Charge Against Political Prisoner; Concerns Over Repetition of Cases Leading to Death Sentences in Iran
Hossein (Shahaan) Alizadeh Azarbar, a 38-year-old political prisoner, faces charges including “insulting the prophet,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and “propaganda against the system.” The “insulting the prophet” charge, which under Iran’s Islamic Penal Code can result in a death sentence, has once again raised concerns about the use of religious accusations in political and ideological cases.
Reports published by human rights organizations indicate that Hossein (Shahaan) Alizadeh Azarbar, a 38-year-old citizen and surveying engineer residing in Islamshahr, following his re-arrest faces a series of security and religious charges, including “insulting the Supreme Leader,” “propaganda against the system,” and “insulting the prophet”—charges that could have serious legal consequences for him.
According to available information, Alizadeh Azarbar had previously been detained in connection with his civil activities and after his release on bail, he was arrested again on July 3 in front of his home in Islamshahr by security forces. Reports indicate that he was transferred to Greater Tehran Prison following his arrest.
What has drawn particular attention to this case is the charge of “insulting the prophet”; an accusation that, according to published reports, has been brought up due to remarks about the story of Adam and Eve. Officials of the Islamic Republic have not yet released any formal explanation regarding the details of this charge.
According to Article 262 of Iran’s Islamic Penal Code, insulting the divine prophets or what is termed in the law as “insulting the prophet” can result in a death sentence. Human rights organizations have repeatedly warned in recent years about the use of this charge in cases related to freedom of expression, belief, and civil activities, considering it inconsistent with Iran’s international human rights commitments.
The case of Alizadeh Azarbar is also reminiscent of previous cases in the Islamic Republic’s judicial system, including the case of Mohsen Amir-Eslami, who was executed in 2014 following a conviction on charges of “insulting the prophet.” International human rights institutions stated at the time that his conviction was related to different religious interpretations and the expression of his views, and the execution faced widespread international criticism.
Human rights experts say that the use of terms such as “insulting the sacred” or “insulting the prophet” alongside security charges can increase judicial pressure on the accused; a pattern that has been observed in recent years in the cases of several civil activists, writers, artists, and dissidents.
The case of Hossein (Shahaan) Alizadeh Azarbar is being reviewed while official details of the indictment or the date of his trial have not yet been released, and human rights organizations have called for transparency in the proceedings and respect for the legal rights of this prisoner.
