Mustafa Kavakebian, the editor-in-chief of Mardomsalari newspaper, has been sentenced to prison for his claims regarding alleged sexual relations between Katherine Shakdam, a British-French citizen, and Iranian government officials.
Mizan, the news agency affiliated with Iran’s Judiciary, reported on October 18, 2025, that the First Branch of the Tehran Province Criminal Court sentenced Mustafa Kavakebian to 14 months in prison on charges of “spreading false information, disturbing public opinion, and disseminating incorrect news.” Additionally, he was banned from media activities for two years, including giving interviews to radio and television and publishing any content in media outlets, news websites, or similar platforms. The prison sentence has been suspended for four years.
In the same case, Danial Haji-Abolhassan Memar, the editor-in-chief of Hamshahri Online, was also fined for publishing an interview with Mustafa Kavakebian.
Mostafa Kavakebian is the editor-in-chief of Mardomsalari newspaper and a former member of Iran’s parliament. Previously, the press court jury had also found Kavakebian guilty in another case related to his claims about Catherine Shakdam. In an interview with Hamshahri Online, Kavakebian stated: “Catherine Shakdam resided in Iran for eight years, during which she established sexual relations with over 100 Iranian political and military officials for espionage purposes.”
Catherine Shakdam, a French-British citizen who collaborated with Iranian media and institutions for a period, has denied the allegations of espionage and sexual relations with Iranian officials in interviews with various media outlets.