Arrest of Two Iranian Journalists for Executing 'Judicial Sentences'; Yashar Soltani and Saba Azarpeyk Transferred to Prison

According to reports from domestic media, Yashar Soltani and Saba Azarpeyk, two Iranian journalists, have been transferred to prison to serve their 'prison sentences.' This news was published on a day when the Guardian Council approved the qualifications of six presidential candidates and rejected those of dozens of others. The Mizan news agency, affiliated with the judiciary, announced on Sunday, June 20, that Yashar Soltani has been sentenced to one year and two months in prison for 'spreading falsehoods with the intent to disturb public opinion.' This sentence was issued following complaints from 17 plaintiffs. Yashar Soltani had previously made headlines by exposing the misconduct of Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf during his tenure as mayor of Tehran, as well as the land-grabbing case involving Kazem Sediqi, the Tehran Friday Prayer Imam. He also revealed information about a contract for purchasing electric buses from China by Alireza Zakani, the current mayor of Tehran and another presidential candidate. At the same time, Saba Azarpeyk has been sentenced to three years in prison and fined for 'spreading falsehoods' and 'threatening.' Both journalists have a history of arrest and imprisonment due to their activities and revelations. Reporters Without Borders has evaluated the Islamic Republic as 'one of the most repressive governments in the world' regarding media freedom, ranking Iran 177th out of 180 countries in terms of freedom of expression. The International Federation of Journalists also reported that since the onset of nationwide protests in 2022 until the end of 2023, at least seven publications and news outlets have been suspended, closed, or had their licenses revoked due to 'pressure from security agencies or judicial orders.' UN experts have called on the Islamic Republic to stop 'violence and threats' against journalists outside of Iran. Zhina Modarres-Gorji, a journalist and women's rights activist, has been sentenced to 21 years in prison. Niloufar Amraei, a journalist and children's literature translator, has passed away. Ali Moslehi, a government-critical journalist, has been summoned to serve his prison sentence. Sentences have been issued for a journalist and a labor activist in Iran; pressures on civil society continue.