According to local media sources, the reason for Haghi’s arrest was his news coverage of “the popular protests that took place in Iran in December 2018.” One informed source spoke to the Center of Democracy and Human Rights in Kurdistan about Haghi’s arrest, saying that after the arrest warrant was issued, and as security forces were arresting Haghi, they confirmed he was being arrested for publishing photos and videos of the protests and demonstrations that had taken place in the city of Ilam.

Haghi was arrested at the same time as Javad Kheybar, another journalist from Ilam. In court, Haghi was sentenced to nine months imprisonment on the charge of “propaganda activities against the state.”

Ali Haghi was released from prison in November 2018, after having served the entirety of his prison sentence.