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Journalism is not a Crime

Journalist Mohammadi’s Trial Opens; Lawyer Denied Right to Present Defense

May 30, 2023
2 min read
Elaheh Mohammadi of the daily newspaper HamMihan was taken into custody after covering Amini's funeral in her Kurdish hometown, Saqqez, where the demonstrations kicked off
Elaheh Mohammadi of the daily newspaper HamMihan was taken into custody after covering Amini's funeral in her Kurdish hometown, Saqqez, where the demonstrations kicked off

The lawyer of an Iranian journalist who went on trial behind closed doors on May 29 on charges resulting from her coverage of Mahsa Amini’s death says he was denied the chance to present a defense.

The September death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in police custody unleashed months of nationwide protests demanding fundamental economic, social and political changes. 

Elaheh Mohammadi of the daily newspaper HamMihan was taken into custody after covering Amini's funeral in her Kurdish hometown, Saqqez, where the demonstrations kicked off. 

Mohammadi and another journalist, Niloofar Hamedi, of the Shargh newspaper, are accused of collaborating with the "hostile" government of the United States, colluding to commit crimes against national security, and engaging in propaganda activities against the regime. Hamedi is also set to go on trial before Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court on May 30.

The accusations could carry the death penalty.

Mohammadi’s lawyer, Shahab Mirlohi, told the HameMihan newspaper that the court hearing started with an hour's delay, more than eight months after she was taken into custody.

"Immediately after the indictment was read, questions regarding the case were directed at Mrs. Mohammadi, to which she responded. Subsequently, the first session was abruptly concluded, with the announcement that the date for the next session will be determined later."

Mirlohi argued that the case does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Revolutionary Courts and said it should be handled by a criminal court. 

"As most of the case relates to Mohammadi's journalistic activities, comments and writings, the choice of the Revolutionary Court remains perplexing," he said. 

The lawyer also said that the trial should be held publicly with a jury: "This decision appears to contradict Article 168 of the Constitution, which guarantees the participation of citizens and the media, and the presence of a jury in similar cases." 

Mirlohi pointed out that his client was “held in solitary confinement for an extended period of time without any rational justification.” 

Ahead of Hamadi's trial, her husband Mohammad Hossein Ajorlo expressed his dismay on Instagram, saying that he will not be allowed to attend the hearing. 

Human rights groups and media freedom watchdogs have condemned the arrest and prosecution of Hamedi and Mohammadi, as well as the Islamic Republic’s ongoing clampdown on dissent and the media.

More than 520 people were killed during demonstrations sparked by Amini’s death and over 20,000 others were unlawfully detained, including dozens of journalists, activists say. Following biased trials, the judiciary has handed down stiff sentences to protesters.

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