“Insulting the Prophet” Charge Against Political Prisoner; Concerns Over Repeat of Cases Leading to Death Sentences in Iran

Hossein (Shahaan) Alizadeh Azar, a 38-year-old political prisoner, faces charges including “insulting the prophet,” “disrespecting the supreme leader,” and “propaganda against the system.” The charge of “insulting the prophet,” which under Islamic Penal Code can result in a death sentence, has once again raised concerns about the use of religious charges in political and ideological cases.

Reports published by human rights organizations indicate that Hossein (Shahaan) Alizadeh Azar, a 38-year-old citizen and surveying engineer residing in Islamshahr, following his re-arrest faces a series of security and religious charges, including “disrespecting the supreme leader,” “propaganda against the system,” and “insulting the prophet”—charges that could carry serious judicial consequences for him.

Based on released information, Alizadeh Azar had previously been arrested in connection with his civil activism and, following his release on bail, was arrested again on July 3 in front of his residence in Islamshahr by security forces. Reports indicate that following his arrest, he was transferred to Tehran’s main prison.

What has drawn particular attention to this case is the charge of “insulting the prophet”—an accusation that, according to released reports, was raised due to statements about the story of Adam and Eve. Officials of the Islamic Republic’s judiciary have not yet released an official explanation regarding the details of this charge.

According to Article 262 of Iran’s Islamic Penal Code, insulting divine prophets or what is termed “insulting the prophet” in the law can result in a death sentence. Human rights organizations have repeatedly warned over recent years about the use of this charge in cases involving freedom of expression, belief, and civil activities, considering it inconsistent with Iran’s international human rights commitments.

The case of Alizadeh Azar also recalls previous examples within the Islamic Republic’s judicial system, including the case of Mohsen Amir-Eslami, who was executed in 2014 following conviction on the charge of “insulting the prophet.” International human rights bodies stated at that 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 state that the use of titles such as “insulting sacred values” or “insulting the prophet” alongside security charges can increase judicial pressure on the accused—an issue that has been observed in recent years in cases of numerous civil activists, writers, artists, and dissidents.

The case of Hossein (Shahaan) Alizadeh Azar is under review while official details of the indictment or the date of his trial have not yet been released, and human rights organizations are calling for transparency in the proceedings and respect for the legal rights of this prisoner.