Iran: Nazila Maroofian Remanded In Custody 6 Months After Sentencing

Court had postponed two-year prison term with five years in January

Location: Iran, Tehran
Date: July 8, 2023

Following a summons to the Evin Prosecutor's Office in Tehran, authorities detain Kurdish journalist Nazila Maroofian. The Coalition For Women In Journalism is closely monitoring Maroofian’s worrying case. The journalist was initially arrested in October 2022 and has since experienced a barrage of legal harassment, and mental and physical assault at the hands of the authorities. We urge the international community to oppose the continued persecution of Maroofian and raise its voice in support of her release and protection.

On January 9, 2023, Maroofian was sentenced to two years in prison, accompanied by a hefty fine of 15 million Tomans and a five-year ban on leaving Iran on January 28, 2023. The court, however, decided to postpone her prison sentence with five years.

Maroofian, a reporter for Rouydad 24 and former journalist for Didban Iran, was arrested in October 2022 for her groundbreaking interview with Amjad, the grieving father of Mahsa Amini whose murder at the hands of the Morality police sparked nationwide protests and subsequent arbitrary arrests of journalists. The interview shed light on a tragic event that demanded public attention.

Her subsequent treatment at the hands of the authorities has been marked by mental pressure, torture, and a complete disregard for her well-being. During her time in prison, Maroofian faced immense mental pressure and torture. She was subjected to solitary confinement or held in cells with a minimal number of prisoners, isolating her from any form of support or contact with the outside world. The psychological toll on Maroofian is evident, as her health deteriorated rapidly.

The situation took a turn for the worse when Maroofian fainted and suffered a heart attack on the eve of her trial. Instead of receiving proper medical attention, she was transferred to Muftah hospital in Shahreri. Shockingly, Maroofian was then returned to Qarchak prison, despite incomplete tests on her health conditions. 

Since her release in January, a Special Unit officer has been harassing the reporter with demeaning comments, using derogatory language and attempting to humiliate her.

Four days prior to her latest detention, police raided Maroofian's home during which they seized her personal belongings, including her mobile phone and laptop.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism expresses its solidarity with Nazila Maroofian and vehemently condemns her arrest, detention, and mistreatment which are a clear violation of her rights as a journalist and an individual. We denounce these oppressive tactics  and hold the responsible authorities accountable for their actions. Maroofian's case serves as a stark reminder that press freedom and the protection of journalists are vital pillars of a democratic society. It is crucial that the international community stands up against the ongoing persecution of Nazila Maroofian and raises its voice in support of her release and protection. Governments, human rights organizations, and journalists worldwide must condemn the actions of the Iranian authorities and apply pressure on the Iranian government to end its harassment of journalists, respect human rights and uphold the principles of freedom of the press.

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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