The Special Clerical Court in Shiraz sentenced Shahabeddin Haeri Shirazi, the son of the city’s former Friday Prayer Imam, to three years in prison.

Haeri, who has expressed criticisms against the leadership of Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, took to his Telegram channel to inform followers that he appeared before the Special Clerical Court on Saturday, receiving a three-year prison sentence.

The charges against Haeri Shirazi include "spreading falsehoods against Ruhollah Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Republic" resulting in a two-year imprisonment and a fine of 150 million rials (approximately 300 dollars). Additionally, he is accused of "engaging in propaganda against the system," leading to another one-year prison term.

The Special Clerical Court also imposed restrictions on Haeri, preventing him from participating in online activities for three years and blocking his Telegram channel, deeming it an "instrument of committing a crime."

Shahabeddin Haeri Shirazi is the son of Mohiyeddin Haeri Shirazi, a cleric who held the position of Representative of the Supreme Leader in Fars Province and Friday Prayer Imam of Shiraz for 27 years, appointed first by Ruhollah Khomeini and later by Ali Khamenei.

During some years of his father's leadership, Shahabeddin took on the role of the representative and Friday Prayer Imam in Shiraz. However, in recent years, he has been critical of the role of Ruhollah Khomeini in the early stages of the Iran-Iraq War and has voiced concerns about the governance style of Ali Khamenei.