Iran Jails Psychologist Over Trump Plea, Family Alleges

Seyed Ahmad Seyedabdollahi, a 32-year-old psychologist and counselor from Borujen who had been living in Tehran, published an English-language video on Jan. 4 in which he spoke directly to Trump. In the footage, reviewed by News Outlet, he called on the president to move swiftly on his promise to back Iranian protesters, saying many young Iranians had believed his words and warning that support comes too late for those who are no longer alive.

“…To prove your good intentions to the Iranian people, either do something without saying anything or act very quickly on your words, because many young people trust what you say. And, as you probably know, many things are useless to people who are dead. I assure you that the Iranian nation remembers good deeds well, and they will try to repay their friends in the future.”

On Jan. 14, 10 days after the video was posted, Seyedabdollahi was arrested at his father’s home in Borujen, according to Iran International, Iran Wire, the Harana human rights activist news agency and the Hana Human Rights Organization. Hana reported that plainclothes agents seized phones and other electronic equipment, and that Seyedabdollahi was later held in solitary confinement and at an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps intelligence detention facility in Isfahan.

A relative of Seyedabdollahi told News Outlet that the video set off continuing pressure from Iranian security authorities.

“Since that day, he has faced serious pressure from Iranian security authorities. He was arrested twice and subjected to repeated interrogations,” the relative said. “During his detention, he spent extended periods in solitary confinement. He was eventually convicted and sentenced to seven months in prison, and in July 2026 he was transferred to prison to begin serving his sentence.”

Branch One of the Borujen Revolutionary Court found Seyedabdollahi guilty of “engaging in media activities against national security,” sentencing him to seven months behind bars and banning him from government and public services for five years, Iran International reported on Aug. 6. He was detained again on July 7 to begin serving the sentence and remains in Borujen Prison.

Hana Human Rights Organization said he was denied contact with his family for 17 days following his first arrest and that his family initially did not know where he was being held. Iran International reported that he was denied access to a lawyer of his choosing during his detention and at times was prevented from communicating with his family.

Iranian authorities have also opened a second case against Seyedabdollahi on a charge translated as “propaganda against the establishment” or “propaganda against the system of the Islamic Republic.” The case, opened in June, remains at the preliminary investigative stage, according to Hana.

Court documents obtained by News Outlet appear to detail the authorities’ investigation of Seyedabdollahi and contain references to alleged foreign contacts and financial transactions involving the United States and Israel. His relative said interrogators accused him of being connected to the CIA and Mossad and of receiving money in exchange for making the video.

“They told him you are a member of the CIA and Mossad and you took money from them for this job,” the relative said.

The relative also alleged that Iranian authorities pressured Seyedabdollahi to record another video repudiating his original message and attacking Trump and Americans.

“He did not give in to numerous pressures to publish a clip that contradicted the first video,” the relative said. “He was asked to sexually insult Trump and make the American people look stupid and ignorant so that we could broadcast your clip on the national media.”

The relative further alleged that Seyedabdollahi endured solitary confinement and mistreatment during interrogations, and said he continues to face pressure in prison after refusing authorities’ demands. Those allegations also could not be independently verified.

“His situation in Borujen Prison is not good because he has been out of solitary confinement for a few days, but sometimes they take him to solitary confinement under various pretexts,” the relative said, adding that monitored telephone calls make it difficult for him to speak openly about his treatment.

The relative said the five-year prohibition on public and government employment has compounded the punishment by threatening Seyedabdollahi’s ability to work after his release.

“You understand the economic conditions of Iran. Now imagine that in this situation someone has been deprived of their social rights, i.e. job and income, and he is imprisoned,” the relative said.

The relative described Seyedabdollahi as a psychologist and popular speaker with a following among young Iranians, and said he remained focused on those who suffered more severely during the government’s crackdown.

In the brief period when he was free, the relative recalled him saying, “Don’t feel weak. Our problems are insignificant compared to the thousands of people who have lost their lives.”

Seyedabdollahi was one of several Iranians who directly appealed to Trump during January’s nationwide protests. Iran International reported that he posted his video Jan. 4, two days after Trump warned Iranian authorities against firing on peaceful demonstrators. Trump again warned Tehran on Jan. 9 and on Jan. 13 urged Iranians to continue protesting, writing that “help is on its way.”

Iran International reported that the crackdown resulted in mass arrests and cited the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency as saying more than 50,000 people were arrested during a period of just over six weeks. The outlet also reported that U.N. human rights chief Volker Türk said at least 56 people had been executed on national-security-related charges since March 19, including 27 in cases linked to the January protests.

The Iranian mission to the U.N. declined to comment.