Saeedeh Shafiei, Economic Journalist, to be Imprisoned for the 'Third Time'

Saeedeh Shafiei, a journalist sentenced to prison, has reported on the 'new decision by forensic medicine and judicial authorities' to return her to Evin Prison 'for the third time' despite her illness not improving. This economic journalist was transferred to Evin Prison on November 19 of last year to serve her sentence, but after spending several months in detention, she was released to pursue treatment based on a forensic opinion to suspend the execution of her sentence. In a note on her 'X' page, she wrote: 'I am being taken back to prison for the third time on Friday, September 7.' She noted that her prison sentence had been suspended 'due to illness' since March 3 of the previous year, stating that while her condition has not improved, 'the new decision by forensic medicine and judicial authorities is for my return to prison. This is also a rebirth in mid-September and the beginning of my 42nd year.' The charges against Saeedeh Shafiei include 'propaganda against the regime' and 'conspiracy and collusion.' This journalist was first arrested and imprisoned on January 22, 2023, and was released about two weeks later on February 6 with a bail of 500 million tomans. The Organization for the Defense of Free Flow of Information in Iran has recently reported that with the official start of the 14th government of the Islamic Republic, the sentencing of journalists has increased fivefold. The organization stated: 'The sentencing of journalists has increased fivefold in one month.' Zahra Rahnavard emphasized that the 'national unity cabinet' must recognize equal rights for all citizens of Iran. The pressure on journalists in Iran continues; Omid Faraghat has been sentenced to six months in prison. Two professional associations of journalists and press photographers stated that the Minister of Culture should defend media freedom instead of repression.