The lawyer of Hossein Shandizadeh, a detained social media activist, translator, and editor, stated that his client has been charged in the Revolutionary Court with offenses such as insulting sacred beliefs and leadership, as well as engaging in propaganda in favor of Israel. Amir Raeisian announced on Wednesday, August 8, on X (formerly Twitter), that the court session regarding Mr. Shandizadeh's charges took place the previous day in Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court. He further mentioned that in the issued indictment, in addition to insulting sacred beliefs, insulting Ruhollah Khomeini and Ali Khamenei, Mr. Shandizadeh is also charged with other offenses including 'spreading falsehoods, engaging in propaganda against the regime, and engaging in propaganda in favor of the Zionist regime.' Mr. Raeisian also noted, without providing further details about the specifics of the charges, that he, along with other lawyers for Hossein Shandizadeh, presented their defense in court. Hossein Shandizadeh was arrested in mid-June of this year in the city of Ardabil. His arrest occurred after Ali Khamenei's account on X published a photo of him with members of the national student volleyball team, which was accompanied by a caption that lacked a period. In response, Hossein Shandizadeh simply placed a period under the image without using any words. A few days later, the Ardabil prosecutor announced charges against him, including 'connections with high-ranking Mossad officers,' 'insulting sacred beliefs,' and 'attempting to leave the country.' No evidence or documentation was provided in this regard. The day after, Mr. Shandizadeh's family expressed concern over the allegations against him, stating in a statement: 'The previous allegations against Hossein Shandizadeh are being repeated and intensified while he still does not enjoy any of the basic rights of a 'prisoner.' They had previously reported that this social media activist was in 'temporary detention' in Tehran. Mr. Shandizadeh had also been tried and sentenced to imprisonment in 2019 for his activities on social media and the charge of 'insulting sacred beliefs and the leader of the Islamic Republic.'
Hossein Shandizadeh Charged with 'Propaganda for Israel' in Revolutionary Court
Hossein Shandizadeh, a social media activist, has been charged with multiple offenses, including propaganda for Israel and insulting sacred beliefs, in a Revolutionary Court. His arrest followed a social media post that drew the attention of authorities, raising concerns about the suppression of dissent in Iran. This case highlights ongoing issues of freedom of expression and government repression in the country.
👥 Key Players
⚡ Actions
📰 What Happened
Hossein Shandizadeh charged with propaganda for Israel and insulting sacred beliefs in Iran's Revolutionary Court.
- Revolutionary Court indict Hossein Shandizadeh
- Iranian authorities arrest Hossein Shandizadeh
- Amir Raeisian announce Hossein Shandizadeh
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The case illustrates the Iranian regime's intolerance towards dissent and its efforts to suppress criticism.
📝 Key Evidence
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%