Imprisoned Journalists: Ehsan Mazandarani Released, Afrin Chitsaz Granted Leave

Media outlets close to reformists have reported that Ehsan Mazandarani, the former editor-in-chief of the Farhikhtegan newspaper, has been granted a three-day leave from prison, and Afrin Chitsaz, another imprisoned journalist, has been released on bail. The Khabar Online website reported on Tuesday, July 6, that Mr. Mazandarani was granted leave after a period of hunger strike. The report included a recent image of Ehsan Mazandarani showing him with a cast on his leg. Mr. Mazandarani was sentenced to seven years in prison on charges of 'propaganda against the regime and conspiracy against security.' He was arrested last November along with several other journalists, including Afrin Chitsaz, whom Iranian judicial officials labeled as members of a 'media infiltration network.' However, Mr. Mazandarani recently stated in a letter from prison that he would pay for the publication of a video of Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani's farewell to his son, Mehdi Hashemi, who was heading to prison. After eight months in prison, Ehsan Mazandarani was granted leave on Tuesday. The Zeyton news website also reported on Tuesday that Afrin Chitsaz was released from prison after her detention order was converted to bail, with the bail amount set at one billion tomans. Afrin Chitsaz was sentenced to ten years in prison on charges of 'conspiracy to disrupt security and connections with foreign governments.' The Zeyton website stated that she was released until the appellate court's decision is announced. About two months ago, 230 Iranian journalists wrote a letter to Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, calling for attention to the situation of Afrin Chitsaz and Ehsan Mazandarani, as well as two other journalists who were arrested around the same time. Eisa Saharkhiz and Saman Safarzadeh are two other journalists whose charges are similar to those of Afrin Chitsaz and Ehsan Mazandarani. In this context, the lawyer for the imprisoned journalists stated: 'We have no information about the case of Afrin Chitsaz.' Sentencing for four Iranian journalists has occurred after months of detention. Following his transfer to the hospital, 'Ehsan Mazandarani's heart activity has been revived.' There is 'absolute ignorance' regarding Ehsan Mazandarani's transfer location, the imprisoned journalist. Two imprisoned journalists who have gone on hunger strike are in critical condition. Dozens of journalists condemned the violation of the rights of imprisoned journalists.