Marking the first time the judiciary candidly mentioned the prohibition, Iranian judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei told reporters on Feb. 16 that Iranian media remain banned from covering statements and pictures of former Reformist President Mohammad Khatami. But Iranians, who have turned to social media to voice their opposition or support for something, have defied the ban.

Several pages were made on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter (both blocked in Iran) among others to protest the ban. Multiple hashtags were used with the most popular ones being “we will be Khatami’s media” and “Mr. Special” among others.

On Instagram, a page that reportedly belongs to the former president called on Khatami supporters to share their pictures with it. Ever since, dozens of pictures have been shared on the page that now has nearly 87,500 followers.

A picture published on the page reads “Have you ever thought how in some people’s view publishing images of Israeli prime minister and US president is not banned, but publishing images of Iran’s former president is?”