Iranian authorities have released two journalists who were imprisoned for over a year after covering the controversial death of Mahsa Amini. Amini, an Iranian woman arrested in Tehran by morality police for opposing mandatory hijab standards, died while in police custody – an incident that spurred nationwide and global protests. Both Elaheh Mohammadi, 36, and Niloufar Hamedi, 31, were able to document and disseminate these series of events, with their subsequent ordeal underpinning the complexities of reporting in Iran.
Hamedi, a former staffer of the reformist newspaper Shargh, broke the news of Amini’s death. Meanwhile, Mohammadi, previously with Ham-Mihan, shed light on Amini’s funeral proceedings. However, their work was met with significant backlash from authorities. In the aftermath of the funeral and ensuing protests, both women were arrested and charged with collaborating with the US government and colluding against national security. Some protests even called for a complete overthrow of the Iranian regime.
In October 2023, Iran’s judiciary announced on its Mizan Online website that Hamedi and Mohammadi were sentenced to 13 and 12 years in prison, respectively. The charges included collaboration with the US and alleged conspiracy against Iran’s national security.
On a surprising turn of events, local media outlets reported the release of Hamedi and Mohammadi from Tehran’s Evin prison after the Appeal Court of Tehran province agreed to change the sentence to a bail of 10 Billion Tomans each (approximately $237,000). Consequently, the women have remained out of jail for the past 17 months, although they are now prohibited from traveling outside of Iran.
It’s important to note that Hamedi and Mohammadi were among the 90-plus Iranian journalists who were either questioned or arrested in connection with the nationwide protests following Amini’s death. Consequently, their ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the perils journalists face when covering contentious events within Iran.
Both journalists are currently appealing their sentences. As their legal battle unfolds, the global legal community will undoubtedly keep a close eye on the developments, given Iran’s contentious track record on freedom of the press and human rights.
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