Mahsa's Father to 'Free Iranian Daughters': You Shouted a Truth They Wanted to Conceal

Mahsa Amini's father, in a message addressed to journalists Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi, referred to them as 'proud and free Iranian daughters' who 'shouted a truth' that the Islamic Republic authorities wanted to conceal, becoming the voice of Mahsa Amini and her family. In the message posted on Instagram on Thursday, November 3, Amjad Amini expressed his understanding of the suffering and hardships the two journalists endured during their two years in detention under the most difficult conditions, and praised their courage. Mr. Amini emphasized, 'You shouted a truth that they wanted to conceal with your pen and became the voice of our voiceless Mahsa (Zhina).' He asserted that 'pens that move for justice will never be forgotten, and their sweetness and bitterness will not fade from memory.' This father of a victim addressed the two journalists, who were detained for reporting on Mahsa Amini's death in custody and have been summoned again for sentencing after more than two years, stating, 'You are not alone, and every shout and every word of yours resonates in the hearts of our people.' Amjad Amini added, 'I assure you that the light of hope for the establishment and execution of justice in Iran and the world will never be extinguished because all victims are sympathetic.' Mahsa (Zhina) Amini was killed on September 16, 2022, while in custody of the Islamic Republic's morality police, an incident that sparked months of widespread protests across Iran. Following Mahsa Amini's death and during the crackdown on nationwide protests by government forces, over 500 people were killed and thousands were arrested. Additionally, the Islamic Republic authorities arrested several journalists and lawyers for performing their professional duties. Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi were among these journalists who were detained for reporting on Mahsa Amini's death in custody and were temporarily released from Evin prison after spending about 400 days with a bail of 10 billion tomans. One of the charges against them was 'collaboration with a hostile government,' which was dismissed in the appeals court. This accusation has been repeatedly denied by the United States government, which has denied any connection or collaboration with these journalists and described such rulings as the Islamic Republic's attempt to suppress freedom of expression in Iran. Nevertheless, the judicial authorities of the Islamic Republic have summoned Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi again for sentencing. This comes as their lawyers have emphasized that with their acquittal from the charge of 'collaboration with a hostile government,' the rest of their case falls under the 2021 amnesty directive, making their re-imprisonment illegal. Furthermore, tens of thousands have called for the suspension of the sentences of the two journalists, while the judiciary insists on enforcing the sentences. The spokesperson for the judiciary claimed that they had prior security charges. Artists have supported the campaign to stop the prison sentences of Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi. The Islamic Republic's aim in enforcing the prison sentences of Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi has been discussed in interviews. Responses to the referral of Elaheh Mohammadi and Niloufar Hamedi's case to the execution branch have also been noted. The journalists' association has called for the suspension of the prison sentences of Hamedi and Mohammadi. Lawyers have reported the issuance of execution notices for the prison sentences; Hamedi and Mohammadi must report to prison within five days. Their lawyers stated that enforcing the prison sentence is meaningless and the case should be closed.