Sentencing Announced in Case; Niloufar Hamedi: 13 Years in Prison, 7 Years Executable | Elahe Mohammadi: 12 Years in Prison, 6 Years Executable

According to the announcement from the Media Center of the Judiciary, Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran issued the verdict in the case of Niloufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi, sentencing the two to a total of 25 years in prison, of which 13 years are 'executable.' According to the verdict, Elahe Mohammadi was sentenced to 6 years in prison for 'collaboration with the hostile government of the United States,' 5 years for 'conspiracy to commit a crime against national security,' and 1 year for 'propaganda against the Islamic Republic of Iran.' Niloufar Hamedi was also sentenced to 7 years for 'collaboration with the hostile government of the United States,' 5 years for 'conspiracy to commit a crime against national security,' and 1 year for 'propaganda against the Islamic Republic of Iran.' If the verdict is upheld by the appeals court, the harsher penalties (6 years for Elahe Mohammadi and 7 years for Niloufar Hamedi) will be enforced. The sentences issued against both journalists state that both defendants 'will face supplementary punishment due to anti-security actions and will be banned for 2 years from membership in political parties, groups, and activities in cyberspace, media, and press.' The court's ruling emphasized that the time spent in detention will be deducted and calculated based on Article 27 of the Islamic Penal Code. On October 18, about 200 journalists, writers, and media activists in Iran issued a letter noting that more than a year has passed since the detention of Elahe Mohammadi and Niloufar Hamedi, calling for their release. Elahe Mohammadi and Niloufar Hamedi were arrested during last year's nationwide protests for covering the news of the death of Mahsa Amini while in the custody of the 'morality police' and were accused of 'collaboration with a hostile government,' an accusation that has always been denied by both women and their lawyers. The U.S. State Department also rejected the claims made by the Iranian judiciary regarding 'the connection of Niloufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi with the U.S. government,' emphasizing that the trial of these two journalists, who played a role in reporting Mahsa Amini's death, was aimed at 'intimidating journalists in Iran.' According to a report by Reporters Without Borders, during the 'widespread crackdown' on protests following Mahsa Amini's death, 79 journalists, including 31 female journalists, were arrested. The Islamic Republic has carried out extensive security and judicial actions against journalists in Iran over the past four decades, which has drawn criticism from the international community. One year has passed since Niloufar Hamedi's detention; imprisonment for fulfilling journalistic duties. About 200 journalists demanded the release of Elahe Mohammadi and Niloufar Hamedi. The sister of Elahe Mohammadi, the imprisoned journalist, stated: 'It has now been exactly a year since our hands have been separated.' The spokesperson for the judiciary denied the 'acquittal' of Elahe Mohammadi and Niloufar Hamedi from the charge of collaboration with a hostile country. One year of temporary detention for Niloufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi; lawyers say the environment is 'favorable for acquittal.' Anniversary of Mahsa; report from the International Federation of Journalists on a year of repression of journalists and media in Iran.