Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Hossein Shanbehzadeh, a media activist and Tehran resident, to 12 years in prison and a fine of 50 million tomans.
Amir Raeisian, a defense attorney, announced on his personal page that based on a ruling issued yesterday, August 31, 2024, by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court and delivered to Mr. Shanbehzadeh’s lawyers, he was sentenced to five years in prison for “propaganda in favor of Israel,” four years for “blasphemy,” one year for “propaganda against the regime,” and two years in prison as well as a 50 million tomans fine for “spreading falsehoods.” Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the most severe punishment, which is five years of imprisonment, will be enforceable.
Regarding the specifics of the charges, Mr. Raeisian told Shargh Network: “One of our objections to the case is that the charge of propaganda in favor of the Zionist regime lacks a clear material basis and only refers to the defendant’s private chats. The publication of content on social media has been considered as insulting to religious sanctities. Additionally, the ruling mentions that Mr. Shanbehzadeh’s support for other political prisoners, along with his negative portrayal of the current situation, use of the hashtag ‘No to Execution,’ support for removing the hijab, his expression of joy over the assassination of President Raisi, and creating media hype against the elections are other instances of his alleged crimes.”
Shanbehzadeh was arrested by security forces on June 4, 2024, in Ardabil. Following his arrest, Tasnim News Agency, close to security agencies, reported, citing the Ardabil Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor, that Hossein Shanbehzadeh was arrested on charges of espionage for Israel. Jalal Afaqi, the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor of Ardabil, claimed that “Hossein Shanbehzadeh was in contact with high-ranking officers of Mossad through a social network and gathered information needed by Mossad under the guise of editorial activities.”
Shanbehzadeh was previously arrested for his activities on the social network X (formerly Twitter) and was released on bail later.
The trial of Hossein Shanbehzadeh on these charges was held on September 12, 2020, in Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. He was sentenced to three years and six months in prison for “blasphemy,” eighteen months for “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and ten months for “propaganda against the regime.” This verdict was upheld by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals.
In June 2022, Shanbehzadeh posted on his page on social media that he was summoned to begin serving his sentence in Evin Prison. Shanbehzadeh was ultimately released from prison in April 2023.
