The Complaint of Key Members of the Zaviyeh Financial Group Regarding the Publication of Abdi Media’s Articles and Commentaries, and the Final Decision of the Prosecutor’s Office

In all my articles and commentaries, I have emphasized that anyone to whom any content is attributed in Abdi Media, in any manner whatsoever, has the right to respond, and I will publish their explanation in Abdi Media in accordance with professional journalistic ethics.

The Zaviyeh Financial Group and the Eskandarinia family are among them. In addition, regarding this group, I separately sent private messages—based on the available documents—to individuals close to and associated with them for various reasons.

In any case, Mr. Hassan, Mohsen, Mohammad, and Mehdi Eskandarinia, along with Ms. Fatemeh Eskandarinia and Ms. Kobra Asadi, chose to exercise their legal right to seek redress through the Public Prosecutor and filed a criminal complaint against this humble journalist, in my capacity as Director and Editor-in-Chief of Abdi Media, under the following allegations:

1. Insulting private individuals
2. Defamation
3. Disclosure of people's confidential information in cases not permitted by law
4. Publishing content containing threats to honor or reputation, or disclosure of personal secrets
5. Dissemination of false information
6. Publishing criminal content in media and press outlets leading to damage to individuals' reputations

(Although it remains unclear to me why Mr. Farid Bouzar Jomhari did not file a complaint.)

The investigating judge issued an indictment recommendation regarding the following charges:

1. Dissemination of false information
2. Defamation

Following the approval of the Prosecutor, an indictment was issued and the case will be referred to the competent court for trial, where it will be determined whether I published even the slightest falsehood or defamatory statement concerning these individuals or legal entities.

This is a development that I strongly welcome. I am very pleased that the matter has been referred to the Prosecutor, and I only wish I could be present in Iran to personally attend the court proceedings.

The investigating judge also issued a dismissal order with respect to the following allegations:

1. Insulting private individuals
2. Disclosure of people's confidential information in cases not permitted by law
3. Publishing content containing threats to honor or reputation, or disclosure of personal secrets
4. Publishing criminal content in media and press outlets leading to damage to individuals' reputations

However, the precise and well-documented accounts concerning the Zaviyeh Financial Group will continue...

For the record.