The Symbolism of a Punctuation Mark

An Iranian writer's simple response to a post by the nation's supreme leader led to significant consequences, highlighting the oppressive climate in Iran. Hossein Shambhizada replied with a period to a post that lacked proper punctuation, which many interpreted as a powerful symbol of the end of the Islamic Republic. This seemingly trivial action resulted in his arrest and a severe 12-year prison sentence, demonstrating the regime's harsh crackdown on dissent, even when expressed through minor gestures. Such incidents underscore how the government perceives any public display of defiance, no matter how subtle, as a direct threat to its authority.