According to local media reports on Sunday, two female Iranian journalists, Negin Bagheri and Elnaz Mohammadi, are facing a three-year partly suspended prison sentence for “conspiracy and collusion.” They will spend approximately one month behind bars as part of this sentence.
Their lawyer, Amir Raisian, shared that the remaining period of their sentence is suspended over five years, during which they must undergo “professional ethics training” and are prohibited from leaving the country.
The report did not provide specific details about the allegations against these journalists, and it remains unclear if they can appeal the verdict.
Elnaz Mohammadi’s sister, Elahe, who also works for Ham Mihan, has been in prison since September 2022 after reporting on the funeral of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old who died in police custody. Mahsa Amini’s death on September 16, 2022, occurred following her arrest for a perceived violation of Iran’s dress code, sparking nationwide protests lasting several months. Human rights organizations outside Iran have reported numerous arrests in connection with the anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death.
Negin Bagheri is associated with the independent Haft-e Sobh newspaper, while Elnaz Mohammadi had been detained in Evin prison for a week in February, although the reason for her detention remains unclear.
The previous year’s protests resulted in hundreds of fatalities, including both security personnel and demonstrators, with thousands of arrests made in connection with what the authorities labeled as foreign-influenced “riots.” Seven individuals have been executed in protest-related cases, involving violence against security forces.
Local media reported last month that Iranian authorities have questioned or arrested over 90 journalists since the protests. In a recent development, journalist Nazila Maroufian, who had previously been released on bail in August after defying Iran’s strict dress code, was rearrested for not wearing a headscarf in public, as reported by an Iranian news agency.
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