In 2019, Iranian political prisoner, dissident and editor, Hossein Shanbezadeh received an initial sentence of five years and ten months in prison for his social media writings. The Iranian regime imposed this sentence as part of its broader crackdown on dissents and online freedom of expression. Shanbezadeh’s first conviction was on charges of insulting religious sanctities and the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, as well as a very well-known charge against writers, journalists and dissidents: “propaganda against the state”. Iranian authorities commonly use these charges against political activists to silence and suppress opposition voices.
In June 2024, Iranian security forces arrested Shanbezadeh once again. This time, they arrested him for a seemingly innocuous act: he posted a single dot (.) in response to a tweet by Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Despite the apparent frivolousness of this response, the Iranian Judiciary authorities later referred to Shanbezadeh in state media, accusing him of acting as a spy for Mossad, the intelligence agency of Israel. This accusation not only highlights the extreme measures taken by the regime to stifle dissent but also reflects the paranoia and hostility towards perceived foreign interference. Shanbezadeh’s re-arrest signifies the continued risks and severe consequences faced by those who dare to challenge the authoritarian regime through social media and other forms of expression.
Hossein Shanbezadeh, a well-known literary editor, writer, and translator, has contributed to the Persian language and literature through his work. Shanbezadeh is also a prominent figure on social media, particularly on X (Twitter), where he actively engages with a wide audience on various cultural and political issues. He receives wide acclaim for his satirical critiques of the Islamic state in Iran.
In June 2024, Shanbezadeh as an editor, became the focus of controversy leading to his subsequent arrest. Following his interaction with a post by Ali Khamenei on the social media platform X, Khamenei’s account posted a photograph featuring him among young athletes, accompanied by a caption that notably contained a punctuation error. Khamenei’s account wrote a sentence that ended without a dot. In response, Shanbezadeh commented with a single dot (.), subtly highlighting the grammatical error. Regime supporters interpreted this seemingly simple act as more than a copy edit correction.
Shanbehzadeh’s seemingly innocuous comment was swiftly deemed an act of defiance by the authorities. Despite comprising only a lone dot, his action was interpreted as a direct challenge to the regime’s authority, perhaps symbolizing an end. Consequently, he was arrested. Despite not having been afforded the opportunity to consult with a lawyer, and with charges not officially communicated or confirmed by the Islamic Republic’s Judiciary to his family or lawyer, state media persistently portrays him as a Mossad spy. Jalal Afaqi, a prosecutor in the city of Ardabil where Shanbehzadeh was arrested, further solidified this narrative, stating, “This person is accused of blasphemy, sacrilege, and espionage for high-ranking Mossad officers.”
This poses a threat to Shanbehzadeh as a political prisoner of the past and the present, given that state media and prosecutors often mirror the directives of the state’s security apparatus. It also reinforces the regime’s habit of conflating criticism, no matter how mild, with grave accusations of espionage and treason. Shanbezadeh’s re-arrest not only showcases the severe repression faced by intellectuals and activists in Iran but also underscores the fragile state of freedom of expression in the nation.
Shanbezadeh’s single dot also greatly angered the state supporters. While Khamenei’s post received seven thousand likes, it was Shanbezadeh’s simple punctuation mark that truly captured widespread attention, garnering an astonishing seventeen thousand likes. The overwhelming support for Shanbezadeh’s post, in contrast to the Supreme Leader’s, highlighted the considerable public resonance and sympathy towards his subtle yet courageous act of dissent.
The next day, Shanbezadeh was apprehended by state security forces in Ardabil, a city located in northwest Iran. Before his arrest, Shanbezadeh had publicly disclosed his intentions to travel to Ardabil. Despite his transparency, the prosecutor of Ardabil, claimed that Shanbezadeh was planning to flee the country. This assertion was used to justify his arrest and paint him as a prisoner attempting to evade justice.
After accusing Hossein Shanbezadeh of being a Mossad spy, state media accused him of receiving Israeli funding to post anti-regime content. Regime news agencies released screenshots supposedly showing Shanbezadeh agreeing to collaborate with Mossad on Twitter. However, these claims were swiftly debunked by Iranian social media users and independent cybersecurity experts. Social media accounts and independent observers revealed the screenshots were fabricated by the regime’s forces in Iran. This exposed the regime’s deceptive tactics to discredit Shanbezadeh and justify punitive actions against activists.
Despite the regime’s attempts to portray Shanbezadeh as a traitor working with a foreign intelligence agency, the public exposure of the faked evidence significantly bolstered support for Shanbezadeh, reinforcing his position as a symbol of resistance against the authoritarian regime in Iran.
Shanbezadeh’s re-arrest under such severe allegations demonstrates the regime’s ruthless measures to silence dissent and the precarious position of political activists in Iran. The significant public support for Shanbezadeh; however, highlights the growing discontent and desire for change among the Iranians.
Now, a wave of support for Hossein Shanbezadeh has surged across social media, particularly on X (Twitter), where users are advocating for his release by hashtagging his name and using a single dot. This seemingly simple symbol has evolved into a powerful emblem of Shanbezadeh’s critique against the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, and his broader resistance against the injustices perpetrated by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
For Iranians, the dot (.) has acquired profound significance, embodying a subtle yet courageous challenge to the regime’s authoritarian rule. It symbolizes solidarity with Shanbezadeh and the numerous other prisoners of conscience who have challenged the state. This dot movement mirrors the deep-seated frustration and desire for change among the Iranians, transforming a mere punctuation mark into a call for justice and freedom.
The widespread adoption of this symbol underscores the impact of Shanbezadeh’s actions and the growing unity among Iranians in their fight against repression. It also highlights the power of social media as a tool for collective resistance, enabling people to come together in support of a common cause despite the regime’s efforts to stifle dissent. The dot, now more than just a mark on a page, stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of resistance and the unyielding demand for human rights, justice, and freedom in Iran.
