In Tehran, a journalist is currently on trial behind closed doors for her coverage of the tragic death of Mahsa Amini, which sparked widespread protests. Elaheh Mohammadi, a reporter for the pro-reform Hammiha newspaper, and Sharq newspaper journalist Niloofar Hamedi have been accused of colluding with hostile powers for their reporting on Amini’s death. Both journalists have been held in Iran’s notorious Evin prison since last September.
To make matters worse, Iran’s intelligence ministry and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have accused Mohammadi and Hamedi of being CIA agents. Their trial began on Monday and Tuesday, respectively, and they could face the death penalty if convicted.
Amini’s death in custody after being detained for not wearing her hijab sparked outrage and mass protests around the world. Mohammadi covered Amini’s funeral in her Kurdish hometown of Saqez, where the protests began. Despite repeated calls from human rights groups for a public trial, the revolutionary courts have chosen to keep the proceedings behind closed doors.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
