Harsh sentences highlight the Iranian regime's relentless efforts to suppress dissent and control the narrative following Mahsa Amini's death

Location: Iran, Tehran
Date: October 22, 2023

In a move that accentuates the mounting concerns over press freedom in Iran, a court in the capital has meted out lengthy prison terms to prominent journalists, Niloofar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi. Hamedi was handed a 13-year sentence, while Mohammadi received a 12-year term. Both were convicted of collaborating with the U.S. government, among other accusations. Hamedi and Mohammadi played pivotal roles in reporting on the death of Mahsa Amini, an incident that sparked nationwide protests. Their coverage, deemed sensitive by authorities, made them targets in an effort to silence voices of dissent and control the narrative around the contentious event. Such sentences, especially against women journalists at the forefront of ground reporting, are an apparent orchestrated attempt to suppress voices that dare to narrate the truth. The Coalition For Women In Journalism vehemently condemns the sham trials, convictions, and lengthy sentences. We demand their immediate and unconditional release.

In a courtroom move that echoes wider concerns over press freedoms in Iran, the 15th chamber of Tehran's revolutionary court pronounced harsh sentences against two noted journalists, Elaheh Mohammadi of Ham Mihan and Niloofar Hamedi of Shargh Daily. After 13 months of detention, Mohammadi and Hamedi were given prison sentences of 12 and 13 years respectively.

Hamedi, arrested on September 21, 2022, played a significant role as one of the initial journalists to report on the hospitalization of Mahsa Amini after her arrest by the morality police. The journalist had shared a photograph of Amini's grieving family at Tehran's Karsa hospital, where Amini was in a coma. The Kurdish student tragically died while in the custody of the morality police. Hamedi’s timely reporting helped shed light on the situation and brought attention to Amini's critical condition.

Mohammadi was arrested on September 22, 2023, for covering the funeral proceedings of Mahsa Amini. She was the sole journalist to report on the funeral in Iran's Kurdistan province. 

The litany of charges against the journalists carries strong political undertones. Mohammadi was sentenced to six years for "collaborating with the hostile government of the United States," five years for "conspiring and colluding to commit a crime against national security," and a further year for "propaganda against the Islamic Republic." Hamedi faced an eerily similar slate of charges, culminating in a 13-year term. 

Mohammadi and Hamedi categorically denied the allegations throughout the two hearings. Mohammadi, as reported by her husband, confidently stated to the judge in July, "I can say with pride that I have never had links with foreign governments and that my loyalty is to the people because I regard myself as their mouthpiece." 

The trials were conducted under the watchful eye of Judge Abolghasem Salavati, notorious for delivering stringent sentences. Adding to the prevailing concerns of a skewed judicial process, defense attorneys for both journalists were blindsided with last-minute trial date notifications, curtailing their preparations. With mere hours to pore over case files and confer with their clients, the legal representatives also faced the ignominy of being silenced in court, unable to address the judge directly.

The verdict, which can be appealed within a 20-day window, stokes the flames of an already charged atmosphere surrounding the nation's treatment of journalists, many of whom often find themselves caught in the crosshairs of political agendas.

Hamedi's husband took to Twitter following the verdict. “After 13 months of attempts to falsely accuse Niloofar and Elahe, they were ultimately handed an unfair judgment. On Niloofar Hamedi's birthday, as she was en route to the visiting room, the verdict was declared. This marked the culmination of efforts by the authorities to wrongly implicate them.”

Tragic Death of Mahsa Amini Highlights Journalistic Courage Under Fire in Iran

The tragic death of Mahsa Amini, a Kurdish student who faced a cruel end in the custody of the morality police over an alleged headscarf violation, sent shockwaves across Iran, sparking large-scale protests and exposing deep-seated frustrations with the Islamic Republic.

The unrelenting efforts of journalists Niloofar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi shed light on a grave injustice and highlighted the groundswell of dissent bubbling beneath the surface in Iran. But the decisive journalism by Hamedi and Mohammadi was met with the wrath of a regime notorious for its intolerance to criticism. Their subsequent arrests and heavy sentences exemplify the extremes the Iranian government will go to suppress the truth.

Iran Leading Detainer of Women Journalists

The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) has been closely tracking the evolving situation and the adversities journalists face after the widespread protests ignited by Mahsa Amini's death last year. The number of women journalists in detention has alarmingly risen to 44 arrested, and 34 behind bars. One is imprisoned journalist Narges Mohammadi, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize two weeks ago.

Such blatant targeting of journalists is a flagrant violation of press freedom and a resounding blow to the bedrock of any democratic society: the right to information and freedom of expression. The egregious sentences meted out to Hamedi and Mohammadi are shocking and serve as a grim reminder of the perilous terrain journalists in Iran must navigate daily. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism wholeheartedly stands in solidarity with Niloofar Hamedi, Elahe Mohammadi, and all Iranian journalists who have been unjustly arrested, endured sham trials, and imprisoned. Journalists aren't the enemies of the state; they're the voice of the people. As Hamedi and Mohammadi's plight demonstrates, it is imperative for international coalitions, governments, and media houses to rally together, championing the release of those imprisoned and advocating for a freer, more transparent Iran.The authorities’ actions undermine press freedom and diminish journalists' crucial role in providing information to the public. We strongly condemn these practices and call for an immediate end to such injustices. We urge the international community to take decisive action and advocate for these journalists' immediate and unconditional release.

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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