Kermanshah: Mamusta Ayat Gholami Sentenced to Two Years in Prison
On May 24, 2025, Mamusta Ayat Gholami, a Sunni cleric, former Friday prayer leader of Mohammad al-Mostafa Mosque in Kermanshah, and a religious instructor at a seminary, was sentenced to two years in prison by the Special Court for the Clergy in Hamedan.
The court charged this Kurdish cleric with:
- “Propaganda against the regime,”
- “Spreading falsehoods,” and
- “Disturbing public opinion.”
The ruling was formally issued to Gholami on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Under Iranian law, one year of the sentence is enforceable based on the principle of enforcing the harshest penalty. He has 20 days to appeal the verdict.
Earlier, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, following his temporary release on bail, Gholami was summoned again to the Special Court for the Clergy.
He had initially been released on Saturday, April 26, 2025, after posting 700 million tomans in bail, pending the conclusion of his trial. During his detention, he was denied access to legal representation.
On Wednesday, April 23, 2025, Mamusta Gholami was arrested after appearing before the Kermanshah branch of the Special Court for the Clergy. His arrest followed his defense of Sunni beliefs and support for imprisoned Sunni clerics.
Previously, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, he had been summoned by the Clergy Oversight Office in Kermanshah, where he was officially barred from leading prayers and engaging in mosque activities by order of a security agency.
Background and Previous Incidents:
Mamusta Ayat Gholami has been repeatedly summoned by security agencies over the years due to:
- His non-participation in state-run elections,
- Signing statements condemning the execution of Mamusta Mohammad Khazrnajad,
- Protesting the arrest and restrictions on Sunni clerics,
- Speaking out against the killing of kolbars and fuel couriers,
- Criticizing government authorities, and
- Conducting Sunni religious ceremonies.
