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'Zombie Angelina Jolie' is out on bail after receiving a 10-year jail sentence

By PINKY S. ICAMEN Published Dec 21, 2020 10:51 pm

Iranian Social media influencer Shahar Tabar, known for posting photos of altered images of her face that resemble a “zombie Angelina Jolie,” has reportedly been released on bail days after receiving a 10-year jail sentence.

Tabar, whose real name is Fatemah Khishvand, was arrested upon the orders by Tehran’s Islamic guidance court in October 2019 on charges including blasphemy, obtaining money through illegitimate means, instigating violence, insulting the nation’s dress code and encouraging the youth to be corrupt. The arrest was reportedly a response to complaints from the public.

Shahar Tabar has been sentenced to 10 years in jail on charges including blasphemy and obtaining money through illegitimate means.

Following her release, clips of Tabar’s interview with state television made rounds online. The clips also showed her real face for the first time on TV. Tabar also reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 while she was in jail.

The 23-year-old rose to fame in 2017 when she posted photos of herself on Instagram that looked like she went on extreme lengths to look like the Tomb Raider actress. Her Instagram account gained popularity for her photos with the prominence of her gaunt face, discolored skin, exaggerated lips and upward-pointing nose.

Tabar was believed to have had 50 plastic surgeries to achieve her look but she belied these claims when she was interviewed for a Russian state-owned news agency. She said she only had lip fillers, liposuction and rhinoplasty and the rest of her look on social media was achieved by using makeup and the magic of PhotoShop.

Shahar Tabar's interview with Tasnim News following her release. Screenshot from Tasnim News

Tabar garnered over 400,000 followers for her viral Instagram posts before her account was shut down after her arrest.

For the past few years, the Iranian cyber police reportedly launched a crackdown on Instagram influencers who are acting against Islamic rule. In 2018, an Iranian influencer was arrested for posting videos of her dancing on Instagram. Models were also reportedly arrested because of their Instagram pages.

Facebook, Twitter and Telegram are currently banned in Iran.