Iranian Judiciary Sentences Hossein Shanbezadeh to 12 Years in Prison

Hengaw: Sunday, September 1, 2024

Hossein Shanbezadeh, an editor and translator active on social media, originally from Bushehr and residing in Tehran, has been sentenced by the Iranian Judiciary to 12 years of imprisonment, of which 5 years are to be enforced.

According to a report received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Hossein Shanbezadeh was sentenced to a total of 12 years of imprisonment by Branch 26 of Tehran’s Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. Under the aggregation law, 5 years of this sentence will be enforceable. 

Amir Raeesian, Hossein Shanbezadeh's lawyer, confirmed the initial ruling to the newspaper "Shargh" and stated that Mr. Shanbezadeh has been sentenced to 5 years of imprisonment for "propaganda activities against the state in favor of Israel," 4 years for "insulting sacred beliefs," and 1 year each for the charges of "spreading false information," "disturbing public opinion," and "propaganda against the Islamic Republic," along with a fine of 50 million Tomans.

Hossein Shanbezadeh, 35 years old, was arrested by Iranian security forces in Ardabil on the evening of Tuesday, June 4, 2024. Immediately after the news of his arrest was published, the Ardabil Prosecutor announced that a social media activist and editor had been arrested on charges of "espionage for Israel." Media outlets close to the Iranian state identified this editor as Hossein Shanbezadeh.

Following the Ardabil Prosecutor's claim, Hossein Shanbezadeh's family expressed concern about their son's situation in a statement, calling the accusations against him unjustifiable and baseless.

It is worth noting that a few hours after his arrest, Hossein Shanbezadeh's account on the social media platform X was also disabled. Shortly before this, several posts similar to previous claims made by Iranian security agencies appeared on his account.

Previously, during the 2019 protests, Hossein Shanbezadeh was arrested and, after temporary release, was sentenced to 6 years in prison on charges such as "insulting Khamenei" and "propaganda against the government." This sentence was eventually reduced to 3 years and 6 months.

This translator and activist was transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran on Thursday, June 30, 2022, to serve his prison term. He was eventually granted temporary leave from this prison.