Questioner: Abu'l-Fadl Mir Muhammadi (Member of the Supreme Judicial Council)
[In His Most Exalted Name
Your Highness Ayatullah al-`Uzma Imam Khomeini- may your presence last long,
I herby request Your Eminence to answer the following query:
If non-Muslims living in Iran, whether followers of the divine religions or else, commit an offence such as theft, fornication, espionage, corruption and revolt against the state, which are punishable by lashing or fine, should they be punished like Muslims. Or should their punishment in cases such as espionage be conditioned on abandonment? Oor is the punishment like the case when they turn into fighting spies like the infidels who fail to act according to conditions of dhami (non-Muslim living under Islamic government) being treated (like the dhami); that is, returning to safe place or option of the ruler between murder or ransom or esterqaf as your Excellency has question the choice in question eight of Tahrir al-Wasilah vol.2, p.503.
On behalf of Supreme Judicial Council
Abulfadl Mir Muhammadi
3/11/1362 AHS]
In His Most Exalted Name
The said disbelievers are under the protection of Islam and the rules of Islam applies to them like other Muslims, with their blood and property being respected and no one has the right to transgress upon them.
Rouhullah al-Mousawi al-Khomeini