I 'am more familiar with it as a term used to talk about an individual running for political office,
And then being imprisoned for bogus reasons by the political group 'currently in office.
Though I've also heard it used talking about activists imprisoned by whatever political group happens to currently be in power in some country.
@NoOneInParticular
I 'suppose, one can stretch it's meaning,
After all politics is values, and everything is values, in a manner of speaking.
. . .
But then even an individual who steals from a store, could be a political prisoner,
If they advocate for a society without property for example.
. .
Though I suppose some people say they just do it because they wanted the item/money/fun,
Funocracy.
. . . . . . . . . . .
Hm, I don't view the hostages in Israel as 'political prisoners,
So much as hostages taken by a terrorist organization,
Though one could argue political group.