Shahab Darabi, a truck driver and blogger from Eslamabad-e Gharb, Kermanshah Province, known online as Youz-e Asia (meaning “Asiatic cheetah” in Persian), had previously been arrested in March 2024 for publishing content that called for a boycott of the general elections. His Instagram account was removed following that arrest.

Arrest

Darabi was arrested violently by Ministry of Intelligence agents at his home in Eslamabad-e Gharb on 27 May 2025.

Before his arrest, Darabi had posted a video on a new Instagram account, stating that two of his previous pages had been shut down by security services due to his support for the truckers’ protest movement.

Defendant’s Rights

He was arrested without a warrant and was denied family visits and access to legal representation during his detention.

A few days after his arrest, the Islamic Republic’s media released a video of his forced confessions.

Current Status

Darabi was released on 2 June 2025.