Hijab Protest: Iran govt set to arraign female journalists in court

A judiciary spokesperson alleged that both journalists colluded with the government of the United States against Iran government.

Adebola Ajayi • May 24, 2023

Protests Continue Since The Murder Of Mahsa Amini - Iran

Ministry of Justice of Iran announced today the charges against, Niloofar Hamedi (L),†reporter for the Tehran-based semi-reformist Shargh Daily, Hamedi was among the first journalists to report on Amini?s hospitalisation, and Elahe Mohammadi (R), a reporter for the Ham Mihan newspaper, went to Amini’s hometown of Saqez in northwest Iran’s Kurdistan region to report on her funeral, These two reporters were arrested on charges of gathering and collusion with the intention of committing a crime against the country’s national security and propaganda activity against the against islamic republic regime, and by issuing a temporary arrest warrant in They are in prison. Tehran. Iran. November 8, 2022. Photo by SalmPix/Abaca/Sipa USA

The trial of two female journalists who covered the death and burial of Mahsa Amini will soon begin, Iranian authorities have announced.

Elahe Mohammadi will go on trial on June 29, while Niloofar Hamedi trial will hold on May 30, per reports by local news outlets.

Both journalists reported the events surrounding the death of a 22-year-old Mahsa Animi who died in police custody in September for not wearing her hijab properly.

Ms Hamedi broke the news about the death of Ms Amini in police custody. After reporting the news, she has been detained in Iran’s Evin Prison since September 2022.

Ms Mohammadi wrote an article about Ms Amini’s funeral with pictures of the deceased’s parents published. She was then arrested and detained in Evin Prison.

A judiciary spokesperson, Masoud Setayeshi, said both journalists colluded with the government of the United States of America against Iran government “acting against national security, and creating propaganda against the system.”

Mr Setayeshi added that the journalists lawyers have been granted access to the documents of the case.

On May 3, World Press Freedom Day, UNESCO awarded both journalists for their commitment to truth and accountability.

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