Allegations Only for a 'Dot'; Islamic Republic Judiciary Claims: Hossein Shandizadeh Had Connections with Mossad

Following the arrest of Hossein Shandizadeh, a former political prisoner and editor, the prosecutor of Ardabil accused him of having 'connections with high-ranking Mossad officers.' Jalal Afaqi, the Ardabil prosecutor, on Friday, June 8, without naming Hossein Shandizadeh, stated that the arrested individual is accused of 'espionage for high-ranking Mossad officers,' 'insulting sacred values,' and 'multiple blasphemies.' After the news of the editor's arrest on June 5 became public, his family expressed concern over the serious allegations against him. The Ardabil prosecutor claimed without providing evidence that Hossein Shandizadeh 'is accused based on existing documents of being in contact with high-ranking Mossad officers through social media.' These allegations come while this civil activist has been deprived of access to a lawyer and contact with his family. Abbas Shandizadeh, the brother of this editor, had previously expressed concern about 'the consequences of these serious allegations' against Hossein Shandizadeh. The Ardabil prosecutor stated that a legal case had been opened for this social media activist in the Tehran prosecutor's office, and based on judicial delegation, he was pursued in Ardabil province. Hossein Shandizadeh was arrested after he posted a single dot in response to a note without a period on the 'X' page of Ali Khamenei, with users liking this dot more than twice the leader's written content. The Ardabil prosecutor claimed that Hossein Shandizadeh intended to leave the country by passing through Ardabil, Bostanabad, and ultimately going to Urmia. Meanwhile, this well-known user had published posts and photos about his trip to Ardabil before his arrest on the social media platform 'X.' Hossein Shandizadeh was active on 'X' and besides addressing social and literary issues, he also recounted parts of his memories from his time in prison and being whipped. Pressure on civil and political activists in Iran has increased by the Islamic Republic in recent months. Previously, Pouran Nazemi, a human rights activist in Iran, stated to Voice of America about the increasing pressures from the Islamic Republic on plaintiffs, prisoners, and political and civil activists that the government has no intention of reform or retreat, and the security pressures that the Islamic Republic is currently imposing on activists 'are greater than all these years' and 'it doesn't matter if you are an environmental activist, a civil activist, or a political activist.' The Iranian Writers Association: Writers, journalists, and artists should be 'the echo of the voices of the oppressed people.' A report from the World Student Assembly about the nationwide protests in Iran: 70,000 students participated in the 'Mahsa Revolution.' Increasing cases of 'illness-inducing' political prisoners; Bahar Khaniabpour: I have also developed an autoimmune disease. Narges Mohammadi's request from the public: Join the 'campaign for solidarity against sexual harassment.' A report from human rights organizations about the violation of 'Mandela Rules' in Iranian prisons; the conditions of prisoners are 'inhumane.' Kamal Lotfi's deprivation of medical services and the denial of visitation rights to Sousan Hassan Zadeh; pressure on political prisoners continues. A monthly report from a human rights organization on the violation of women's rights in Iran: executions, femicide, arrests, and imprisonment.