thought crime; ideological offense; political crime; ideological offender
Refers to a crime based on holding or expressing certain ideas, or to a person convicted of such a crime. Often used in historical or political contexts, especially regarding suppression of dissent.
The writer was arrested as a thought criminal.
In prewar Japan, there were laws to crack down on ideological offenses.
Compound of 思想 (thought, ideology) and 犯 (crime, offense). The term emerged in the early 20th century in the context of laws targeting ideological dissent.