From 2000 to 2003, Afshari was arrested by the Islamic Republic on four occasions and imprisoned on charges that he was threatening the national security of the country though his role in pro-democracy programs on college campuses. During this time, he served 400 days in solitary confinement, including 328 days consecutively. On 16 May 2001, following five months in detention and before being charged or brought to trial, he appeared on Iranian state television confessing to a plot to overthrow the Islamic Republic of Iran and apologizing to the Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ali Khamenei, for his mistakes. This confession was broadcast across Iran and garnered attention from the public.