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Iran Sentences Two Women Journalists to Jail

Iran Sentences Two Women Journalists to Jail

Two Iranian women journalists have been sentenced to a partially suspended prison term of three years for “conspiracy” and “collusion,” according to local media reports on Sunday.

Negin Bagheri and Elnaz Mohammadi will spend just under a month in prison, serving one-fortieth of the sentence, while the remainder is suspended over five years. During this suspended period, they are required to undergo “professional ethics training” and are prohibited from leaving the country. The report did not provide details about the allegations against the journalists, and it’s unclear whether the verdict can be appealed.

Elnaz Mohammadi’s sister, Elahe, also a journalist at Ham Mihan, has been in prison since September 2022 after reporting on the funeral of Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody. Mahsa Amini’s death in September 2022 had sparked nationwide protests after her arrest for an alleged violation of the Islamic republic’s dress code.

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Foreign-based human rights organizations have reported numerous arrests in connection with the anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death. Negin Bagheri is affiliated with the independent newspaper Haft-e Sobh.

Elnaz Mohammadi had been detained for a week in Evin prison in February, but the reason for her detention was not specified.

The protests in the past year resulted in hundreds of deaths, including security personnel, and thousands were arrested in what officials labeled as “riots” allegedly instigated by foreign actors.

Reports from local media last month indicated that over 90 journalists have been questioned or arrested by Iranian authorities in connection with the protests.

Additionally, journalist Nazila Maroufian, who had previously defied Iran’s strict dress code and was released on bail in August, was rearrested for not wearing a headscarf in public, as reported by an Iranian news agency on Wednesday.

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