According to reports received by Karun Human Rights Organization, on Sunday, January 4, seven followers of the spiritual movement known as Erfan-e Halgheh were released on bail from Ward 5 of Sheyban Prison in Ahwaz.
These individuals had been arrested two months earlier by the Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Informed sources stated that seven out of a total of twelve detainees have so far been released after posting bail ranging from 15 to 50 billion Iranian rials (approximately USD 100,000).
Erfan-e Halgheh is an Iranian spiritual movement introduced in the 1990s by Ali-Akbar Razini, who later used the aliases “Ehsan” and subsequently “Mehdi Elahi.” The movement combines elements of mysticism, psychology, and Eastern and Western philosophy, and claims to promote mental and spiritual development. Its followers practice activities such as meditation and so-called “circle connection.”
Despite this, the activities of Erfan-e Halgheh have faced ongoing restrictions in Iran, and its followers have repeatedly been subjected to arrests in various cities, including Ahwaz.
