Nazila Maroufian on the Seventh Day of Hunger Strike: I Was 'Assaulted' in the Worst Condition

Nazila Maroufian, a journalist who was arrested a week ago following an attack by Islamic Republic forces on her home, says she was 'assaulted' while in 'the worst possible condition.' This journalist, who is on the seventh day of her hunger strike, stated in an audio file from Evin Prison on Wednesday, September 6, that this hunger strike is not only a protest against her own situation but also 'for all the women who are struggling to live in Iran.' Maroufian, a journalist from Saqqez residing in Tehran, was first arrested last year after an interview with Amjad Amini, the father of Mahsa Amini. She was arrested again on September 8 when Islamic Republic agents stormed her home, injuring her in the process. A source close to Maroufian told Voice of America that her family is 'under pressure' and has requested that the media amplify their voice. This source described her arrest, stating that 'seven agents' broke down the door and took her 'while she was sleeping' in her 'nightgown' and 'beaten.' The source urged, 'They want to eliminate this girl by any means, but please make this public and do not let it happen. I hope you will be our voice because we are truly under pressure.' According to this source, Maroufian's parents, who traveled from Saqqez to Tehran to follow up on her detention and visited the court on Sunday, accidentally saw their imprisoned daughter in court, who, although 'mentally well,' was in 'serious physical condition.' Furthermore, according to the latest report from Reporters Without Borders regarding media freedom published on May 2, 2023, Iran ranks 177th out of 180 countries. The International Federation of Journalists reiterated that journalism is not a crime and that the Islamic Republic must release all imprisoned journalists and media activists. A journalist residing in Iran previously told Voice of America that 'pressures on the media in Iran' have significantly intensified following widespread protests in the second half of 2022, and the Islamic Republic expects media to produce 'propaganda bulletins,' pressuring them due to 'critical analyses' under vague titles like 'blackening.' The U.S. State Department has called for the release of Iranian journalists who were 'unjustly' detained in connection with the coverage of Mahsa Amini's death while in custody of the Guidance Patrol.