End of 400 Days in Prison for 'Informing'; Reactions to the Temporary Release of Elahe Mohammadi and Niloufar Hamedi

The release of Niloufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi, two journalists who were arrested while covering reports related to the death of Mahsa Amini, has sparked widespread reactions and welcomed by officials, activists, and social media users after 16 months in Evin Prison. These two journalists were detained from late September and early October 2022 for covering the details of Mahsa Amini's death and her funeral. On Sunday, January 14, after approximately 400 days of imprisonment and 'temporary detention,' they were released from Evin Prison after posting bail of 10 billion tomans. The U.S. representative to the UN Human Rights Council expressed happiness on X (formerly Twitter) about reports that Niloufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi were released after more than a year in detention in Iran, stating, 'We remain hopeful for a review of the lengthy sentences issued for their courageous reporting on the death of Mahsa Amini while in the custody of the morality police.' Christophe Deloire, Secretary-General of Reporters Without Borders, described the temporary release of Niloufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi as 'encouraging news' and stated that the organization will continue to fight for journalists still detained in Iran. Amjad Amini, Mahsa Amini's father, congratulated the release of Elahe Mohammadi and Niloufar Hamedi on Instagram, writing, 'The news of your release after four hundred days of imprisonment and separation from your family has made us all happy and sweetened our spirits.' Prince Reza Pahlavi also expressed hope for the release of all political prisoners on X, writing, 'I congratulate the release of two brave journalists, Ms. Niloufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi, after 16 months of unjust imprisonment to them and their families. Hoping for the freedom of all political prisoners from the regime's captivity.' Political activist Masih Alinejad shared moments from the initial release of Niloufar and Elahe on her social media, stating, 'Watch the moment of freedom of two brave women whose crime in the Woman, Life, Freedom revolution was journalism. Journalists and reporters do not belong in prison. We hope for the day we can celebrate our country's freedom from this corrupt regime. That day is closer than ever.' Hamed Ismailioun, a member of the PS752 Families Association, also congratulated the two released journalists. Ali Karimi, former captain of the Iranian national football team, shared a short text with a photo of Niloufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi without hijab on X, stating, 'No awareness comes without pain.' Voria Ghafouri, former captain of Esteghlal FC, congratulated the release of Elahe Mohammadi and Niloufar Hamedi on his Instagram story. Gohar Eshghi, mother of Sattar Beheshti, who was killed in Iranian prisons for blogging and informing, shared a post of the moment of the two journalists' release on her social media, writing, 'Please send my regards to my proud daughters Niloufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi. Tell them I salute them for their steadfastness and resistance against the executioners of Khamenei. Long live Iran, long live freedom.' Nazila Maroufian, a journalist who was also arrested by government forces for interviewing Mahsa Amini's father and ultimately forced to leave Iran, described the news of Niloufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi's release as 'the only news' that can bring some peace in the 'dark exile.' Atena Daemi, a political activist, shared two different photos on social media, stating, 'Both images are from today, January 14, in front of Evin Prison. Dear Elahe Mohammadi and Niloufar Hamedi were temporarily released from prison after months of uncertainty, while the families of four Kurdish political prisoners gathered in front of Evin to protest the death sentences of their loved ones.' After 400 days of detention, Niloufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi, two journalists arrested while covering reports related to Mahsa Amini's death, were temporarily released from Evin Prison after posting bail of 10 billion tomans. These journalists were detained during last year's nationwide protests for covering the death of Mahsa Amini while in the custody of the morality police and were accused of 'collaborating with the hostile government of the United States,' a charge they strongly denied. Elahe Mohammadi was sentenced to six years in prison for what the Iranian judiciary described as 'collaborating 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.' Niloufar Hamedi was also sentenced to seven years for 'collaborating 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,' which, if confirmed, would be enforceable for seven years. The U.S. government has repeatedly denied any connection or collaboration with these journalists and described such sentences as an attempt by the Islamic Republic to suppress freedom of expression in Iran.