US Reaction to the 'Sham Trial' of Elaheh Mohammadi and Niloufar Hamedi; Journalism is Not a Crime

The Persian Twitter account of the US State Department reacted to the 'sham trial' of Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi through a series of tweets. The tweets stated: 'The sham trial of Elaheh Mohammadi and Niloufar Hamedi, which is considered fabricated, concluded on Wednesday while these two journalists spent nearly 9 months in detention without access to their lawyers, and this week during the mock trial, the defense lawyers were not allowed to speak on their behalf.' According to the US State Department's Persian Twitter account, 'Nine months after the tragedy of Mahsa Amini's death, no organization has taken responsibility for the murder, yet the journalists who reported on her death in the custody of the morality police are facing serious charges, including the possibility of long prison sentences or even execution.' The US State Department called these actions a 'mockery of justice' and added: 'We will continue to speak out and act in support of freedom of expression and press freedom in the Islamic Republic. Journalism is not a crime.' The US State Department emphasized that 'the Islamic Republic fears journalists because journalism creates a good society where the government is accountable to the people.' The Persian messaging of the US State Department also states: 'The narrative of Niloufar and Elaheh' is that 'they were fulfilling their journalistic duty' to report the truth to the people. Exposing the truths of the Islamic Republic's misconduct is exactly what the Islamic Republic fears. This series of tweets from the US State Department reminds the Islamic Republic that 'freedom of expression is a universal right' recognized by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. In this context, we call on the Islamic Republic to immediately release hundreds of political prisoners and dozens of journalists who have been imprisoned solely for 'doing their duty' in reporting the truth to the people.' Earlier, Reporters Without Borders also condemned the 'sham trials' of Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi in a statement. This organization states that these two journalists should be immediately released instead of facing potential convictions. Jonathan Dagher, head of the Middle East desk of this organization, stated: 'The fact that Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi could not meet with their lawyers even a few days before the trial is indicative of injustice and its sole purpose is to legitimize the harassment of these two journalists. We demand their immediate release.' Reactions to the trial of Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi: 'Unfair trial' held in secret without defense opportunities for lawyers. A collective demand from journalists: The trial of Elaheh Mohammadi and Niloufar Hamedi should be public; Kayhan: They took the lead. The date of the trial for Elaheh Mohammadi and Niloufar Hamedi, two detained journalists, was set after months of uncertainty. Reporters Without Borders condemned the 'sham trial' of imprisoned journalists; Niloufar Hamedi rejected all charges against her. A Guardian report on the brutal crackdown on female journalists in Iran: 40% were women. The 'proceedings' of the imprisoned journalists began; Elaheh Mohammadi's lawyer: Lawyers were not allowed to speak. The trial of two journalists and two political activists was held in secret. The request from the Journalists' Guild for a 'fair and public trial' of Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi. 'Public trial' of Elaheh Mohammadi and Niloufar Hamedi; a public demand, anger from Kayhan. In response to Voice of America, the United States rejected the Islamic Republic's claims regarding Elaheh Mohammadi and Niloufar Hamedi. After months, with the setting of the trial date, the case of Elaheh Mohammadi and Niloufar Hamedi has been initiated. The reaction of Mahsa Amini's mother to the breaking of her daughter's tombstone: Zhina is 'the love of the entire Iranian nation.' The 'Freedom of Writing' award was given to Narges Mohammadi; the American PEN awarded this prize to Mrs. Mohammadi's husband.