Iran Has Jailed These Two Women Journalists Allegedly For Reporting On The Mahsa Amini Protests
Iran has found two women journalists guilty of “conspiracy” and “collusion” and sentenced them to a month in prison.
A court in Iran has found two women journalists guilty of “conspiracy” and “collusion” and sentenced them to a month in prison, local media reported on Sunday Sep. 3.
Elnaz Mohammadi worked for the Iranian reformist news portal Ham-Mihan, while Negin Bagheri is also a women’s rights activist.
Their sentences come as Iran cracks down on journalists who reported on mass, anti-government protests that rocked the country following the death of Mahsa Amini.
Mohammadi and Bagheri were initially detained then later released in February and on trial for “collaborating with hostile foreign entities”, Mohammadi’s lawyer told Iran International.
The two were cleared of the charges on Sep. 3 but sentenced to a three-year partially suspended prison sentence, Mohammadi’s lawyer told Iran International.
This means that after serving a month in prison, the two will be released on probation for five years.
During this time, they cannot leave the country, engage in “professional activities related to the committed crime” and will also be required to attend “professional ethics training”, Mohammdi’s lawyer said.
Mohammadi’s twin sister, Elaheh – who is also a journalist – has been detained since she reported on the funeral of Mahsa Amini in September 2022.
Elaheh was arrested with Niloufar Hamedi, another woman journalist, who was the first to report on Amini’s death.E
Elaheh and Hamedi are currently on trial for charges of being foreign agents colluding against national security and inciting protests.
If found guilty, they could face the death penalty.
Since mass protests broke out against the death of Amini, more than 90 journalists have been questioned or arrested, and at least seven protesters have been executed.
