Iran: 3-year Sentence for Negin Bagheri and Elnaz Mohammadi
The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands in solidarity with the journalists, demands immediate global intervention
Location: Iran, Tehran
Date: September 2, 2023
Journalists Negin Bagheri and Elnaz Mohammadi handed a three-year suspended prison sentence on charges of "assembly and collusion," a five-year travel ban and restrictions on their professional activities amidst mounting pressure on the country's media professionals. The Coalition For Women In Journalism expresses unwavering support for the two journalists and strongly denounces the unjust ruling. We demand their immediate acquittal without any conditions and call upon the international community to promptly intervene.
Journalists Negin Bagheri and Elnaz Mohammadi have been sentenced to a three-year partly suspended prison term for charges of "conspiracy and collusion." They will serve approximately one month in prison.
Amir Raisian, the journalists' lawyer, spoke to Ham-Mihan Daily, the newspaper where Mohammadi works, and informed them that the remaining period of their three-year sentence would be suspended for five years. During this timeframe, Bagheri and Mohammadi must undergo “professional ethics” training and be prohibited from leaving the country.
Mohammadi is the sister of journalist Elaheh Mohammadi, who reported on Mahsa Amini's death and was arrested alongside Niloofar Hamedi.
The Mohammadi sisters were arrested on September 22 and transferred to Qarchak prison. Elnaz Mohammadi was initially released from prison but was summoned to the Evin Prosecutor's Office on February 5, where she was arrested again without any explanation. However, on February 12, she was released on bail once again.
Bagheri, a journalist and women's rights activist, is associated with the independent Haft-e Sobh newspaper. She was summoned, charged, and temporarily detained in February but was later released on bail.
The sentencing comes weeks after the regime arrested over a dozen women journalists and activists in an effort to suppress dissenting voices, as the one-year anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death and the subsequent nationwide protests that ensued approaches. CFWIJ has recorded a staggering 250% increase in press freedom violations in Iran since 2022.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism firmly stands in support of Negin Bagheri and Elnaz Mohammadi. We strongly condemn the unjust sentencing and legal harassment they have faced as journalists. We demand their immediate acquittal without any conditions and call upon the international community to prioritize the cases of journalists when engaging with Iran.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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