Iranian Ahmadi Family Faces Harsh Treatment and Threat of Deportation in Turkey
On January 5, 2025, police officers in Karaman, Turkey, raided the home of an Iranian couple seeking asylum in the European Union. The family, belonging to the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light—a Shia-derivative religious community founded in 1999—faced immediate persecution. Pooria Lotfiillanou, the head of the household, was absent during the raid, leaving only his wife, Ebtighaa, and their six-month-old baby in the home. Authorities arrested Ebtighaa and the infant, detaining them under harsh and inhumane conditions.
Later, Pooria was summoned to the police station, where officials threatened to prolong the detention of his wife and child unless he complied with their demands. Under duress, he signed a pledge forbidding him from engaging in any form of religious activity. This effectively stripped him of his rights to freedom of religion and expression, both of which are protected under international human rights laws.
The reason cited for the family’s detention was their public distribution of religious posters about their faith. Turkish authorities accused the couple of violating Article 216/3 of the Turkish Penal Code, which criminalizes “Incitement to Hatred and Hostility” and “Insulting Religious Values Adopted by a Segment of the Public.” Despite the peaceful nature of their activity, the couple was charged under this law.
Additionally, Turkish authorities cited Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection, claiming that Pooria and Ebtighaa posed a “Threat to Public Order and Security.” On this basis, officials initiated detention and deportation proceedings for the family. On January 7, 2025, the Directorate of Migration Management ordered the transfer of the family, including their infant, to the Niğde Removal Center, ignoring their vulnerable status.
Facing Deportation to Imminent Danger in Iran
Deportation to Iran would expose Pooria, Ebtighaa, and their child to severe risks. Pooria has already experienced significant persecution in Iran, including physical assaults, threats, and forced detention in a psychiatric hospital. Returning them to Iran would place their lives in imminent danger.
This case is not an isolated incident. It follows a troubling pattern of Turkish authorities targeting members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. In 2023, Pooria was among 104 members of the community who were arbitrarily detained for five months without due process. Their release only occurred after significant international pressure, including intervention from the United Nations and leading human rights organizations.
The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light is now calling for urgent international action to secure the release of the Lotfiillanou family and halt their deportation. Repatriation to Iran would violate Turkey’s obligations under international law, particularly the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning individuals to countries where they face life-threatening risks or persecution. Without decisive intervention, this family could become yet another tragic casualty of religious persecution.
Persecution of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light in Iran
Members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light have faced brutal persecution in Iran. On December 15, 2022, 15 Iranian Ahmadis were arrested and taken to the infamous Evin Prison for their religious beliefs. During their detention, they were subjected to intense pressure to recant their faith and renounce their religion.
Organizations like Human Rights Without Frontiers have actively campaigned for the release of these individuals, who are frequently labeled as “heretics” and “infidels” in Iran. Despite international pressure, systemic discrimination and persecution against Ahmadis persist, both in Iran and in countries where they seek refuge.
Call to Action
The plight of the Lotfiillanou family highlights the ongoing danger facing members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. This case serves as yet another example of the broader persecution of this religious minority, both in their home country of Iran and in nations where they seek asylum. Human rights advocates urge immediate global action to protect this vulnerable community and uphold international legal standards to prevent further injustice.
Leave a Reply