What It’s About

Hossein Shanbehzadeh, an Iranian writer and activist, has been unjustly sentenced to 12 years in prison following a tweet that only contained a single dot. This tweet, directed at a post by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, allegedly received more social engagement than the original post, leading to Shanbehzadeh’s arrest. He additionally faces accusations of pro-Israel propaganda, all of which he strongly denies.

Why It Matters

This case highlights the extreme censorship and harsh penalties imposed by Iran on individuals who allegedly support Israel or criticize the Iranian regime. It underscores the repressive measures employed by the Islamic Republic against both dissent and any favorable opinion towards Israel.

Details of the Accusations

Shanbehzadeh’s arrest in Ardabil followed the Iranian judiciary’s announcement of a supposed “fugitive Mossad agent” being captured, later identified as Shanbehzadeh by IRGC-affiliated media. According to his lawyer, the sentencing was influenced by charges of “pro-Israel propaganda,” based not on public messages but private chats. Shanbehzadeh was further accused of “insulting Islamic sanctities,” “spreading lies,” and “propaganda against the Islamic Republic.”

Background

Shanbehzadeh had been highly critical of various punitive measures, including execution and amputation at Evin prison, openly denouncing such practices in his writings. This, coupled with his presence on X (formerly Twitter), made him a target for Iran’s security institutions. His previous engagements also led to periods of solitary confinement, emphasizing his ongoing plight under Iran’s oppressive regime.

This story was first published on jpost.com.