Iran: 3 women journalists go on trial as rulers continue with crackdown

Repression of journalists has worsened since widespread protests began in Iran last year, and the government is also restricting use of VPNs.
A kiosk in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Oct. 30, 2022.
A kiosk in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Oct. 30, 2022, displays copies of the Hammihan newspaper, featuring on its cover a headline mentioning the statement by the Tehran Journalists' Association criticizing the detention by authorities of two journalists, Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi (drawing on cover), who according to local media, helped publicize the case of Mahsa Amini. - ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images
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Adam Lucente
@Adam_Lucente

Three journalists are set to go on trial in Iran on Monday, leading to condemnation from an international human rights watchdog.

Journalists Saeideh Shafiei, Mehrnoush Zarei Henzaki and Nasim Sultan Beigi face up to 10 years in prison on “vague” national security and propaganda charges under articles 500 and 610 of Iran’s penal code, according to Human Rights Watch.

Shafiei, an economic journalist for Iranian media, was arrested in Tehran on Feb. 22 and released on bail on March 8. The charges against Shafiei relate to her coverage of poverty and alleged government mismanagement.

Henzaki was arrested in Tehran on Jan. 22 and released on bail on Feb. 15. Her charges relate to her coverage of reproductive laws and parks.

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