Former Professor at Tehran University Arrested After TV Interview

The Judiciary of the Islamic Republic announced on Wednesday, June 10, the arrest of Sadegh Zibakalam, a former professor at Tehran University.

The Mizan News Agency, affiliated with the Judiciary, reported that the judicial oversight order issued for Zibakalam on June 7 had been intensified. Following a new interview, criminal charges were filed against him, and he was arrested on Wednesday morning.

According to Mizan’s report, the political activist had previously faced restrictions under the judicial oversight order, prohibiting him from “any media activity and content creation on social networks and media outlets.”

The charges against Zibakalam were announced following the release of his interview with the British network “Channel 4.” In this interview, which was conducted in English, he described Ali Khamenei, the former leader of the Islamic Republic, as the “backbone of the hardliners” in Iran, stating that during his 36 years of leadership, he emphasized ideas such as “anti-Americanism, the destruction of Israel, and support for Hamas and Hezbollah.”

In another part of the interview, Zibakalam commented on Mojtaba Khamenei, the current leader of the Islamic Republic, expressing doubt that he would continue his father’s perspectives. He also stated that Mojtaba Khamenei would be unable to attain the same level of influence and stature as the former leader of the Islamic Republic.

Sadegh Zibakalam had previously been arrested in May 2024 in connection with three judicial cases. He was released from prison in July of that year following a cancer diagnosis.