Niloufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi Acquitted of 'Collaboration with a Hostile Government' in Appeals Court

Niloufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi, two journalists who were arrested and imprisoned for reporting on events following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody, have been acquitted in the appeals court of the charge of 'collaboration with a hostile foreign government.' Other charges against them fall under the 'amnesty directive' law. Saeed Parsaee, the husband of Elahe Mohammadi, wrote on X on Sunday, August 21, that according to the statements of the lawyers for Niloufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi, the appeals court has issued a ruling in their case, acquitting both of the charge of 'collaboration with a hostile foreign government,' while confirming a five-year prison sentence for the charge of 'gathering and collusion' and a one-year prison sentence for the charge of 'propaganda against the Islamic Republic.' Parto Borhanpour and Hojjat Kermani, two lawyers for Niloufar Hamedi, confirmed this news on Sunday, August 21, stating that with the acquittal of their client from the charge of 'collaboration with a hostile foreign government,' the remaining charges against her are 'subject to the amnesty directive of Bahman 1401.' According to the lawyers, Niloufar Hamedi is 'not subject to any of the exceptions of the amnesty directive' related to Bahman 1401, and her case should be 'dismissed with a decision to halt prosecution.' Additionally, according to the Ham-Mihan newspaper, Shahab Mirloohi, the lawyer for Elahe Mohammadi, announced the issuance of the acquittal ruling from the charge of 'collaboration with a hostile foreign government' for this journalist in Branch 31 of the Tehran Appeals Court, confirming that for the other two charges, namely 'gathering and collusion, and propaganda against the regime,' a total sentence of six years has been confirmed, of which five years is enforceable. Mr. Mirloohi also expressed hope that 'Elahe Mohammadi will be granted amnesty' and 'this case will be closed with a decision to halt execution.' Niloufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi were temporarily released from Evin Prison after spending about 400 days in detention by posting a bail of 10 billion tomans. They vehemently rejected the charge of 'collaboration with the United States,' which the Iranian judicial authorities referred to as a 'hostile government.' The United States government has repeatedly denied any connection or collaboration with these journalists and described the issuance of such rulings as an attempt by the Islamic Republic to suppress freedom of expression in Iran. Tanaz Kolahchian: The Etemad newspaper and Niloufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi have only fulfilled their duty. The new pretext of the government for dealing with Niloufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi after 400 days of detention. The President of the United States, coinciding with World Press Freedom Day, called for the release of all imprisoned journalists worldwide. The United States praised Iranian journalists on World Press Freedom Day: Journalism is not a crime. World Press Freedom Day in Iran is overshadowed by monopoly and threats; from the 'kidnapping' of a newsroom to increased pressure on journalists.