In October 2010, Tabarzadi was convicted of five charges: “insulting the Leader”, “insulting the President”, “propaganda against the system”, “gathering and colluding with intent to harm state security”, and “disturbing public order”. A capital revolutionary court sentenced Tabardazi to nine years in jail and 74 lashes; he was also banned from participating in “social activities” for ten years. On appeal, this sentence was reduced to eight years of imprisonment, and the flogging was removed from the sentence.
Following the trial, three of Tabarzadi’s lawyers were themselves sentenced to prison terms for opposition to the government: Nasrin Sotoudeh, Mohammad Oliyaeifard, and Khalil Bahramian. His outspoken criticism of state repression placed him under the close watch of authorities. Publications linked to him were frequently censored or shut down, and he himself became a target for arrest.
