Shanbehzadeh Family: Hossein is in 'Temporary Detention' in Tehran

The family of Hossein Shanbehzadeh, a social media activist, translator, and editor, announced on Saturday, June 9, that he is in 'temporary detention' in Tehran after a recent phone call with his mother. In the family's latest statement, they said: 'A short while ago, the mother was able to speak with her son. During the emotional conversation, we learned that Hossein Shanbehzadeh is currently under temporary detention in Tehran during the investigation phase.' The news of Hossein Shanbehzadeh's arrest in Ardabil was reported on June 5 after he made a phone call from prison to his family. The family added that it seems, according to 'the laws, he does not have the right to a lawyer at this stage.' The statement emphasized: 'Hossein said that his physical health should not be a concern for us. He also asked us not to pay attention to the 'malicious propaganda.' The public prosecutor of Ardabil accused Hossein Shanbehzadeh on Friday of 'contacts with high-ranking Mossad officers,' 'insulting sacred beliefs,' and 'attempting to leave the country.' This judicial official from Ardabil did not provide any evidence or documentation regarding these accusations. Meanwhile, the Shanbehzadeh family also deemed the allegations made by the Ardabil prosecutor against Hossein as baseless. The Ardabil prosecutor's office also accused this translator and editor of 'planning to leave the country by passing through Ardabil, Bostanabad, and ultimately going to Urmia.' Hossein Shanbehzadeh had drawn attention on social media due to his criticisms of the Islamic Republic, and his arrest has sparked widespread reactions on these platforms. Mr. Shanbehzadeh was also tried and sentenced to imprisonment in 2019 due to his activities on social media and the accusation of 'insulting sacred beliefs and the leader of the Islamic Republic.'