CourtThe jury of Iran’s political and press courts found the editor-in-chief of “Hamshahri Online” guilty in a case involving the publication of statements by a political activist regarding the alleged connections of Catherine Shakdam in Iran. The jury also acquitted the editors-in-chief of the “Media Analysis Editorial” news website and “Daneshmand magazine” of their respective charges, while finding the editor-in-chief of “Khate Bazar” guilty.
On Monday, September 15, 2025, the spokesperson for the jury of the political and press courts announced to the media that the jury found “Mostafa Kavakebian (a reformist political activist) and Danial Haji Abolhassan Memar (editor-in-chief of Hamshahri Online) guilty of spreading immorality, disseminating falsehoods, and publishing false news regarding the alleged sexual relationships of Catherine Perez-Shakdam (a British-French citizen).” The jury deemed them undeserving of leniency.
Previously, Mostafa Kavakebian had claimed in an interview with Hamshahri Online that “Catherine Shakdam resided in Iran for eight years, during which she engaged in sexual relationships with over 100 Iranian political and military officials for espionage purposes.” Shakdam, who has previously collaborated with Iranian media and institutions, has denied allegations of espionage and sexual relationships with Iranian officials in interviews with various media outlets.
The jury also acquitted Abolfazl Zohrevand, a member of Iran’s parliament, and Ata Bahrami, editor-in-chief of the “Media Analysis Editorial” news website, of charges of “publishing false content” related to complaints filed by the Deputy for Culture and Communications of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and a subsequent indictment by the Tehran Deputy Prosecutor.
According to the spokesperson for the press court jury, the cases of the editors-in-chief of Daneshmand magazine and the Khat Bazar news website, accused of “disseminating falsehoods and publishing false content,” were also reviewed during Monday’s session. The jury did not find Ali Khatibi of Daneshmand magazine guilty, but found Morteza Mostafavi, editor-in-chief of Khat Bazar, guilty yet deserving of leniency.