Kermanshah: Sunni Cleric Ayat Gholami Temporarily Released on Bail

On Saturday, April 26, 2025, Ayat Gholami, a Sunni cleric and former imam of the "Mohammad al-Mustafa" Mosque in Kermanshah, as well as an instructor at a religious seminary, was temporarily released from detention after posting bail of 700 million Iranian tomans pending the completion of judicial proceedings.

According to a knowledgeable source, during his detention, Gholami was denied access to legal counsel.

On Wednesday, April 23, 2025, following a summons to the Special Court for Clergy in Kermanshah and his appearance before the court, Ayat Gholami was arrested. His arrest was reportedly due to his defense of Sunni beliefs and his support for imprisoned clerics.

Previously, on July 10, 2024, after being summoned to the Protection Office of the Kermanshah Religious Authority, Gholami was prohibited by order of the security authorities from leading congregational prayers and engaging in religious activities at his mosque.

Ayat Gholami has been repeatedly summoned by security agencies in the past, facing pressures for various reasons, including his refusal to support state-run elections, his signing of statements condemning the execution of Sunni cleric Mohammad Khazrnejad, his protests against the arrests and restrictions placed on Sunni clerics, his condemnation of the killings of Kurdish border porters (kolbars) and fuel carriers, his criticisms of government officials, and his organization of religious ceremonies according to Sunni traditions.