A Doctor in Bojnord Arrested After Posting Image of Cutlet on Social Media

Mohammad Shoja, a protesting doctor and former director of social welfare in North Khorasan province, was arrested after posting an image of 'cutlet' on his Instagram page on charges of 'insulting sacred values.' According to human rights media, Javad Ilani, the prosecutor of Bojnord, announced that if the charges are proven, 'the severest punishment' awaits this pediatric cardiologist. After many opponents of the Islamic Republic humorously compared the manner of Qassem Soleimani's death in Baghdad on January 3, 2020, to being turned into cutlet, some Iranian social media users have used the same expression for the killing of Razi Mousavi. Razi Mousavi, known as 'Seyyed Razi,' a commander of the Revolutionary Guards in Syria, was killed on Monday, December 25, when several missiles struck his home in the Zainabiyah neighborhood of Damascus. According to the Hengaw Human Rights Organization, Mohammad Shoja posted an image of cutlet on Instagram with the caption: 'The smell of cutlet has filled our apartment.' Following the arrest of this pediatric specialist, his Instagram page has also become inaccessible. The Tasnim news agency, affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards, accused Mohammad Shoja of 'hurting the pure feelings of the people' and claimed that his arrest was carried out at the 'demand of a large number of people.' According to Hengaw, Mohammad Shoja was also arrested by government forces during the nationwide protests of 2022. Judicial actions against those who publish images and content related to cutlet have a history, especially ahead of the anniversary of Qassem Soleimani's death. Before the third anniversary of his death in 2022, Nobakht Ebrahimi, a famous chef, was also arrested after posting a cutlet cooking tutorial online. This judicial action was criticized by some lawyers at that time. Ali Mojtahedzadeh, a lawyer, criticized the new method of criminalization in the judiciary based on the 'possible intent of the speaker.' Cutlet has become a new red line for the Islamic Republic; mandatory and government-sponsored commemorations of Qassem Soleimani are taking place. A symbolic action by an Iranian holding a 'cutlet' at the February 11 rally. Gohar Eshghi, the mother of Sattar Beheshti: 'If the Islamic Republic is destroyed, I will cook cutlet for my sons and daughters.' Reactions from users to the killing of Razi Mousavi in Syria: 'A Christmas gift to the people of Iran.'