Masoud Piyaho

Masoud Piyaho has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for sharing a private Instagram story. It has been reported that the 10-year sentence is final, and the case is in the execution phase. His arrest is linked to economic protests that occurred before the events of 18 and 19 January 2026. During a protest gathering, Piyaho was at his workplace, which overlooks Jomhouri Street, and accidentally filmed a scene. The video was shared in his private Instagram story, primarily to inform about the closure of the shopping centre where he worked. After the video was shared by another person, the Ministry of Intelligence summoned him, and he voluntarily presented himself to the judicial authorities. He was arrested, and his case was reviewed by the third branch of the investigation office before being referred to the 23rd branch of the Revolutionary Court. The court did not accept his defence of lacking intent for public distribution and considered him to have a "shared intent" with the protester. Under the law for the intensification of penalties for espionage and collaboration with the Zionist regime, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison, and the ninth branch of the Supreme Court upheld this sentence. The only remaining option is to request a retrial. It has been reported that, considering the legal conditions, his client does not fall under the law for the intensification of penalties for espionage and collaboration with the Zionist regime. The total viewers of the story did not exceed 80 people, and he did not intend to create or distribute content for foreign audiences or even the general public within the country. There is hope that the request for a retrial will be thoroughly reviewed, free from the emotional atmosphere surrounding the case, and that the decision will be based solely on the law.