Hosseini Shanbehzadeh, Imprisoned Editor, Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison; 5 Years as Maximum Punishable

On Saturday, September 1, Hossein Shanbehzadeh's lawyer announced that his client has been sentenced to a total of 12 years in prison, with 5 years being the maximum enforceable punishment. Amir Reysian, in an interview with 'Shargheh Network,' referred to the latest status of Shanbehzadeh's case, stating that according to the preliminary ruling communicated to the lawyers, he was sentenced to 5 years in prison for propaganda activities in favor of Israel. He added: 'The preliminary court also sentenced Mr. Shanbehzadeh to 4 years in prison for insulting sacred values, 2 years for spreading falsehoods and disturbing public opinion, and a fine of 50 million tomans. He was also sentenced to 1 year of punitive imprisonment for propaganda activities against the Islamic Republic.' The trial session for Hossein Shanbehzadeh was held at Branch 26 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran. Mr. Reysian mentioned that 'after consulting with the client about appealing the issued verdict, a decision will be made,' adding: 'One of our objections to the case is that the accusation of propaganda activities in favor of the occupying regime of Israel lacks a specific material element and only refers to the defendant's private chats.' Regarding other instances considered in the case, he said: 'The publication of content on social media has been considered as insulting sacred values. Additionally, the ruling mentions that Mr. Shanbehzadeh's support for other security convicts, along with portraying a negative image of the current situation, using the hashtag 'No to Execution,' supporting the unveiling movement, expressing joy over the martyrdom of President Raisi, and creating a media atmosphere against the elections are also considered as other instances of his accusations.' The announcement of the court's ruling for Mr. Shanbehzadeh has sparked reactions from social media users. Motahareh Ghonei, a suspended and exiled student activist from Tehran University, wrote on the social media platform 'X': 'Hosseini Shanbehzadeh has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for the crime of 'writing'... What a time you have created for us, Khamenei, that you fear even a '.'!' A user named 'Mandelson' also wrote: 'The Islamic Republic is the only place where someone can be arrested on espionage charges and sentenced for 'propaganda activities against the regime.' They are so desperate to convict #Hosseini_Shanbehzadeh that they fabricated the ridiculous accusation of 'propaganda' from private chats; what kind of propaganda? Propaganda in secret?! May your justice house be destroyed!' The hearing for Hossein Shanbehzadeh's charges was held at Branch 26 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran, presided over by Iman Afshari, on August 7. He was arrested in mid-June while traveling to Ardabil. Shanbehzadeh's family has previously denied all accusations against him. Additionally, Hossein Shanbehzadeh's brother had previously stated that this imprisoned translator had sworn to his mother during a phone call, saying: 'I did not do what they say I did.' The arrest of this translator and editor active on social media occurred after he responded to a note on Ali Khamenei's account on X, where a period at the end of a sentence had fallen, by leaving just a 'dot,' which users liked significantly more than the Supreme Leader's writing. Accusations for just a 'dot'; the claim of the Islamic Republic's judiciary: Hossein Shanbehzadeh had connections with Mossad. The detention order for Hossein Shanbehzadeh, translator and editor, has been extended. He has been transferred from solitary confinement to a multi-person cell; he has not yet been allowed to join the general ward. Abbas Shanbehzadeh recounted a 'sad' phone call from his brother, Hossein, to their mother. The uncertainty surrounding Hossein Shanbehzadeh's case continues, and his family has expressed concern about his unclear status.