Raelian leader arrested in Turkey after escaping death in Iran

Raelians mount international rescue effort

MONTREAL , Nov. 26 /CNW Telbec/ - The leader of the Raelian Movement in Iran , Negar Azizmoradi, was arrested in Turkey a few days ago after escaping from Iran , where she faced a likely death sentence for declaring herself an atheist.

Raelians deny the existence of god - any god. Instead, they say that advanced extraterrestrial scientists known as the Elohim created all life on Earth, including humans in their own image.

After she had stated her beliefs publicly in Iran , her native land, Azizmoradi found herself increasingly under surveillance. But the worst was yet to come. More recently, after the last elections, she faced a situation in which she had only two choices: to leave her homeland forever or stay and face arrest and a sure death.

"A few days after her arrival in Turkey , our Iranian leader was arrested because she didn't have a proper passport," said Brigitte Boisselier, official spokesperson of the International Raelian Movement. "Unfortunately, according to our information, she may be sent back to Iran , where she faces certain death for her Raelian beliefs. The 70,000 plus members of the Raelian Movement have mobilized to help her stay alive. They will be demonstrating in front of Turkish embassies worldwide and they will also alert international authorities about this brave woman's predicament."

Boisselier said Azizmoradi became Raelian four years ago.

"Since then, she has very courageously and very actively denounced the Stalinistic, medieval oppression organized by the theocratic Iranian government," Boisselier said. "And she publicly claimed her right to believe there is no god. Despite great personal risk, she told people that the advanced scientists who created us were mistaken for gods by our ancestors and had their teachings distorted leading to the actual Iranian non-sense."

Many Raelian Iranians now living in Canada and the United States are still afraid to speak up after years of oppression and torture in their country of origin, Boisselier said, adding that religious freedom is a basic human right many people in the West take for granted.

"We deeply hope that Negar will be granted asylum in Europe and that she won't be submitted to the horror atheists face in Iran ," Boisselier said. "She sets an example of tremendous courage and integrity, not only for Raelians but for all of humanity. This planet needs more people like her, not less. Her death would be a tragedy."

The Raelian Movement is the largest worldwide, atheist organization promoting the use of science for the benefit of all human beings. Raelians organize campaigns to denounce the myth of god and supply evidence to show that the phrase "in the name of god" is at the root of most of the wars and human suffering, including moral suffering, endured today on this planet.

The demonstration will take place in front of the Turkish Embassy, in Ottawa , Thursday December 3rd at 11:30 a.m.

For further information: or interview, contact: Stella, [phone]