Elnaaz Mohammadi Announces Her 'Forced Resignation' from Ham-Mihan Newspaper

Elnaaz Mohammadi, a journalist and twin sister of imprisoned journalist Elahe Mohammadi, announced that she was 'forced' to resign from her position at Ham-Mihan newspaper. On Thursday, December 14, she shared a message on social media platform X, stating that she had to resign a month ago, and while there are many reasons for her resignation, she remains silent 'out of respect for Elahe,' who has been in prison for 'a year and a few months.' According to Elnaaz Mohammadi, the 'distressing issue' for her is the 'shame' she feels for Elahe, as 'now she is in prison' and the chairs that were 'very dear' to both of them are now empty. Elahe Mohammadi and Niloufar Hamedi were arrested during last year's nationwide protests for covering the news of Mahsa Amini's death in custody of the morality police and were accused of 'collaborating with a hostile government,' an accusation that both have consistently denied along with their lawyers. Elahe Mohammadi was sentenced to six years in prison for what the Iranian judiciary describes as 'collaboration with the hostile government of the United States,' five years for 'gathering and colluding to commit a crime against national security,' and one year for 'propaganda against the Islamic Republic of Iran.' Additionally, pressure on journalists in Iran has intensified since the onset of nationwide protests at the end of September 2022, with at least 73 journalists and photojournalists arrested in the latter half of last year, further jeopardizing press freedom. Reports indicate that conditions for journalists in Iran resemble those of a 'collapsing Soviet Union.'