Iran sentences 2 journalists for collaborating with US. Each coated Mahsa Amini’s demise

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: A courtroom in Iran sentenced two feminine journalists to as much as seven years in jail for ‘collaborating’ with america authorities amongst different prices, native experiences stated. Each have been imprisoned for over a 12 months following their protection of the demise of Mahsa Amini whereas in police custody in September 2022.
It is a preliminary sentencing that may be appealed in 20 days.
The 2 journalists, Niloufar Hamedi, who broke the information of Amini’s demise for carrying her headband too loosely, and Elaheh Mohammadi, who wrote about her funeral, have been sentenced to seven and 6 years in jail respectively, reported the judiciary information web site, Mizan on Sunday.
Tehran Revolutionary Courtroom charged them with “collaborating with the hostile American authorities”, “colluding in opposition to nationwide safety” and “propaganda in opposition to the system”, in line with Mezan.
Hamedi labored for the reformist newspaper Shargh whereas Mohammadi for Ham-Mihan. They have been detained in September 2022.
In Could, the United Nations awarded them each its premier prize for press freedom “for his or her dedication to reality and accountability.”
Amini’s demise touched off months-long protests in dozens of cities throughout Iran. The demonstrations posed some of the critical challenges to the Islamic Republic because the 2009 Inexperienced Motion protests drew tens of millions to the streets.
Whereas almost 100 journalists have been arrested amid the demonstrations, Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi’s reporting was essential within the days after Amini’s demise to unfold the phrase in regards to the anger that adopted.
Their detentions have sparked worldwide criticism over the bloody safety power crackdown that lasted months after Amini’s demise.
For the reason that protests started, a minimum of 529 folks have been killed in demonstrations, in line with Human Rights activists in Iran. Over 19,700 others have been detained by authorities amid a violent crackdown attempting to suppress the dissent. Iran for months has not provided any general casualty figures, whereas acknowledging tens of hundreds had been detained.