Iran detains reformist journalist whose sister, also a reporter, already held

TEHRAN, Iran — Iranian authorities have detained a journalist at a reformist publication, local media reported Sunday, as her sister, also a journalist, remains in custody after reporting on Mahsa Amini’s death.

Iran has been gripped by nationwide protests since the September 16 death in custody of Amini, a 22-year-old ethnic Kurd, who had been arrested for an alleged breach of strict dress rules for women.

Elnaz Mohammadi, a reporter for reformist newspaper Hammihan, was detained at the Evin prosecutor’s office in Tehran after she had gone there “for an explanation,” reported Shargh, another reformist daily.

It was not immediately clear why Mohammadi had been summoned there.

Her sister, Elahe Mohammadi, was arrested on September 29 after reporting for Hammihan from Amini’s funeral.

The journalist was subsequently charged with “propaganda against the system and conspiracy to act against national security,” offenses punishable by death.

Journalist #Elnaz_Mohammadi was arrested after an appearance at Evin Courthouse. She is a member of the editorial board of Ham-Mihan Newspaper.#Iran pic.twitter.com/dlnckBRDOI

— HRANA English (@HRANA_English) February 5, 2023

The procession in Amini’s hometown of Saqez in Kurdistan province turned into one of the first protest actions, followed by more than four months of unrest.

Iran’s judiciary has expedited in recent weeks the processes to sentence or free on bail journalists and other people arrested in connection with the protests, generally described by authorities as “riots.”

Shargh reported Sunday that Hossein Yazdi, a journalist arrested on December 5, had been sentenced to a year in prison as well as a two-year travel ban.

He was the “manager of Mobin 24 website and Iran Times news channel,” Shargh said, without elaborating on the charges against him.

Authorities say hundreds of people, including dozens of security personnel, have been killed during protests.

Thousands of Iranians, including public figures, journalists, and lawyers, have been arrested.

The judiciary has sentenced 18 people to death in connection with the protests, according to an AFP tally based on official announcements.

Four of them have been executed, triggering international outrage.