Extension of Nasim Soltanbeigi's Ban on Visits and Phone Calls in Evin Prison

Iran Jalili, the mother of imprisoned journalist Nasim Soltanbeigi, announced the continuation of her daughter's ban on visits and phone calls until February 26. On Thursday, January 11, she wrote on her account on the social network 'X': 'Despite some openings for certain female prisoners in Evin Prison, my daughter, Nasim Soltanbeigi, remains banned from contact and visitation.' According to news sources in Iran, the restrictions imposed on female prisoners in Evin were implemented after they protested against the presence of judicial officials in the women's section of Evin Prison by singing protest songs and chanting slogans. The Instagram page of Narges Mohammadi, a human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner, reported on January 1 that after the reaction of the imprisoned women and the chanting of slogans, the officials 'fled the section.' Accordingly, Niloufar Hamedi, Elaheh Mohammadi, and Nasim Soltanbeigi, three imprisoned journalists, were denied visits due to singing the song 'Safarnameh' over the phone. Ms. Soltanbeigi was arrested by the Revolutionary Guards' intelligence agents at the airport while attempting to leave Iran on January 11, 2023, and was transferred to Evin Prison. She had been temporarily released on bail on February 6 of the previous year until the end of the judicial proceedings. This journalist was imprisoned for the fifth time on November 21 of this year to serve a three-and-a-half-year sentence. The International Federation of Journalists condemned the punitive measures taken against Elaheh Mohammadi, Niloufar Hamedi, and Nasim Soltanbeigi in Evin Prison on Tuesday, January 9, and called on Iranian authorities to release all imprisoned journalists. Anthony Bellanger, the Secretary General of this federation, stated: 'The increasing crackdown on the media, the ongoing arrests of journalists, and the rising pressure on Iranian reporters have heightened concerns.' Mr. Bellanger added: 'The media crackdown in Iran has sounded the alarm regarding severe violations of the free flow of information and must stop immediately. All journalists who are unjustly imprisoned must be released immediately.' According to the International Federation of Journalists, currently, nine journalists remain 'unjustly imprisoned in Iranian prisons.' Three imprisoned female journalists have been denied visits due to singing this song. The annual report of Human Rights Watch: The Iranian government continues its 'oppressive crackdown.' The International Federation of Journalists condemned the punitive measures against three imprisoned female journalists. Denial of visits for three detained female journalists; reason: singing a protest song.