The prosecution isn't the issue, it's that they put a 75 year old man, who was not a threat to his community and who likely wouldn't flee prosecution due to his

The prosecution isn't the issue, it's that they put a 75 year old man, who was not a threat to his community and who likely wouldn't flee prosecution due to his age and his connections locally, into jail/prison for 75 days. That's where the "political prisoner" part comes from. They can prosecute all they want for what may or may not have been a violation, but the overzealousness shown is obviously retribution against this guy.