New Case Filed Against Elaheh Mohammadi and Niloufar Hamedi for 'Removing Hijab' After Release

The Media Center of the Judiciary announced the formation of a judicial case against Elaheh Mohammadi and Niloufar Hamedi, stating that this case was initiated due to 'removing the hijab' after their 'temporary' release yesterday. Images published of these two imprisoned journalists after their release showed them without mandatory hijab, which the Judiciary used as a pretext to file a case against them. After 400 days of detention, Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi, two journalists who were arrested while covering reports related to the death of Mahsa Amini, were temporarily released from Evin Prison after posting bail of 10 billion tomans. These two journalists were arrested during last year's nationwide protests for covering the news of Mahsa Amini's death in the custody of the 'Guidance Patrol' and were accused of 'collaborating with the hostile government of the United States,' an accusation they strongly denied. The U.S. government has repeatedly 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. The release of Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi after 16 months from Evin Prison was met with widespread reactions and welcomed by officials, activists, and social media users. The U.S. representative to the UN Human Rights Council expressed happiness over their release on X, stating, 'We are pleased to hear reports that Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi were released today after over a year of detention in Iran, and like them, we await a review of the lengthy sentences previously issued for their courageous reporting on the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the Guidance Patrol.' Christophe Deloire, Secretary-General of Reporters Without Borders, called the temporary release of Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi 'encouraging news' and stated that the organization will continue to fight for journalists still detained in Iran. Amjad Amini, Mahsa Amini's father, also congratulated the release of Elaheh Mohammadi and Niloufar Hamedi on Instagram, writing, 'The news of your release after four hundred days of imprisonment and separation from family made us all happy and sweetened our hearts.' The first steps of Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi outside of prison; after 400 days of detention. Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi, imprisoned journalists, were released on bail. The end of 400 days of imprisonment for 'informing'; reactions to the temporary release of Elaheh Mohammadi and Niloufar Hamedi. The International Federation of Journalists condemned punitive actions against three imprisoned female journalists.