A prominent Iranian editor and media activist's family has expressed grave concerns over his arrest and the serious charge against him of "spying for Israel".
Editor Hossein Shanbehzadeh's relatives published a statement Wednesday, saying the spying accusation "cannot be justified" based on his openly conducted online activities under his real name.
The family insisted that Shanbehzadeh "must first enjoy the basic rights of a prisoner," saying that the charges were filed less than 24 hours after his detention without allowing him access to a lawyer or contact with relatives.
The 39-year-old activist was arrested Tuesday in Ardabil while visiting a friend, according to his brother Abbas.
Abbas refuted claims that Shanbehzadeh had attempted to flee, saying he had publicly announced plans to travel to Ardabil in advance and had shared updates about the trip on social media hours before his arrest.
A painter named Shahin Tayar, who was accompanying Shanbehzadeh on the trip, was also taken into custody by the authorities.
The agency responsible for the arrests and Shanbezadeh's current whereabouts remain unknown to his family members, who say they are concerned for his health and well-being.
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