Hossein Shanbehzadeh is imprisoned in Tehran and cannot access a lawyer

The family of Hossein Shanbehzadeh announced in their third statement on Saturday, June 9, that this editor and former political prisoner is currently in "Tehran" and "under investigation in detention." The statement released by Mr. Shanbehzadeh's family did not specify his place of detention but mentioned that he "cannot access a lawyer." It was noted in the statement that Hossein Shanbehzadeh was able to have a phone conversation with his mother on Saturday and told her: "Let’s not pay attention to the propaganda." He told his mother that "his physical health should not be a concern for us." Following the arrest of Hossein Shanbehzadeh, the prosecutor of Ardabil accused him of "communicating with high-ranking Mossad officers." Jalal Afaqy, the Ardabil prosecutor, stated on Friday, June 8, without naming Hossein Shanbehzadeh, that the detained individual is accused of "spying for high-ranking Mossad officers," "insulting sacred values," and "multiple acts of blasphemy." The Ardabil prosecutor claimed without providing evidence that this former political prisoner is "accused based on existing documents and evidence of having communicated with high-ranking Mossad officers through social media." Hossein Shanbehzadeh was arrested after he responded to a note without a period at the end on Ali Khamenei's "X" page by placing a single period. Users appreciated this period more than twice the original text of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. The Ardabil prosecutor claimed that Hossein Shanbehzadeh intended to leave the country by passing through Ardabil, Bostanabad, and ultimately going to Urmia. This claim has been strongly denied by the family of this imprisoned editor. Meanwhile, this well-known user of the social network "X" had published posts and photos about his trip to Ardabil before his arrest. Hossein Shanbehzadeh was active on "X" and, in addition to addressing social and literary issues, recounted parts of his memories from his time in prison and being flogged. Pressure on civil and political activists in Iran has increased by the Islamic Republic in recent months. Accusations just for a "period"; the claim of the Islamic Republic's judiciary: Hossein Shanbehzadeh had connections with Mossad. The family of Hossein Shanbehzadeh expressed concern over the attribution of "heavy accusations"; Hossein Ronaghi: This "period" will remain a headline forever. The Iranian Writers' Association: Writers, journalists, and artists should be "the echo of the voice of the oppressed people."