Iran arrests journalist whose sister is being held for covering Mahsa Amini funeral

TEHRAN, Iran — Iranian authorities have detained a journalist at a reformist publication, local media report today, 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,” reports Shargh, another reformist daily.

It’s not immediately clear why Mohammadi had been summoned there.

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

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.

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