One day after the release of “Elahe Mohammadi” and “Niloufar Hamedi” from Evin Prison, the judiciary announced that a new case has been filed against the two journalists.
The judiciary’s news agency, Mizan, reported on June 16, 2024, stating that a charge has been filed against them due to the publication of images of the two journalists without hijab upon their release from prison, and that “a new case against these defendants has been formed in the Tehran Public and Revolutionary Court.”
Mizan further reported that Niloufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi were released after nearly 16 months of temporary detention, following the court of appeals’ agreement with a bail amount of 10 billion tomans, and they will remain free until a verdict is issued in the appeals court.
However, one day later, the Fars news agency, citing an informed source, reported that the two journalists had been granted a week-long leave for medical purposes. This news agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, claimed that Niloufar Hamedi was on medical leave for treatment of a “female condition,” while Elahe Mohammadi received medical leave for “dental issues” and would return to prison after the leave period.
Previously, according to the ruling issued in the lower court, Niloufar Hamedi, a reporter for Shargh newspaper, has been sentenced to seven years for “collaboration with the hostile government of the United States,” five years for “conspiracy and collusion to commit a crime against national security,” and one year for “propaganda against the system,” with the seven-year sentence being enforceable upon confirmation in the appeals court.
Elahe Mohammadi, a reporter for HamMihan newspaper, has also been sentenced to six years for “collaboration with the hostile government of the United States,” five years for “conspiracy and collusion to commit a crime against national security,” and one year for “propaganda against the system,” with six years of this sentence being enforceable as per the most severe punishment according to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code. Additionally, the two journalists have been sentenced to a two-year prohibition on membership in political parties, groups, and organizations, as well as restrictions on activities in social media, media, and press as supplementary punishments.