Three journalists called to trial in Iran, charged with “propagand against system”

The HRANA news agency reported on Thursday, April 27th, that journalists received separate invitations, requiring them to appear in court within five days to present their defence against charges brought against them.

These appeals for court presentations come at a time when increased control over journalists in Iran, while authorities are trying to control the distribution of information amid numerous protests on various issues, such as living conditions, wages and lack of rights and freedoms.

A report by Tehran Journalists' Association showed that since nationwide protests intensified after death in September 22nd, Mahsa Ammini, while in police custody for an alleged violation of the hygiene rules, about 70 journalists have been arrested and some others have been called to appear in court.

In acts against Shafie, Zarei and Soltanbeig, the Iranian government has cited their articles and writings as evidence that they produced <x0...propaganda against the system”. They deny these accusations.

Soltanbeji was arrested for the first time in December last year at Tehran's Khomeni International Airport, while trying to leave Iran. After being held in custody for more than a month, it was provisionally released on February 7th until the completion of legal proceedings.

Soltanbeji was an activist student in the 2000s and has worked as a journalist for various Iranian media in recent years.

It was held in custody for eight days in 2006 for participating in the “G rally for Change”, before a court sentenced it to a five-year sentence. After two years, it was said her sentence would be annulled if she did not break her parole rules.

Zarei, an Iranian veteran journalist, was arrested by security forces in Tehran on 22 January. She was later transferred to the Revolutionary Guard detention centre. Like Soltanbeji, Zarei was released on bail in late February.

Similarly, Shafiei was arrested by security forces in Tehran on January 22nd. It was provisionally released on February 8th until the completion of legal procedures.

The latest invitation to appear in court comes after unprecedented cases of opposition by women and school students in what appears to be the biggest threat to the Islamic government since the 1979 revolution.

Amin died just days after being arrested by the notorious Tehran moral police for allegedly violating the strict dress code for women in Iran. Authorities have blamed “wrestling” as a cause of her death, but supporters and family members say Amin had been beaten while in custody.

The cause of the protests, over 500 people have been killed and thousands have been arrested, according to human rights groups. Despite government warnings that attempts to stop the protests will intensify, Iranians continue to hit the streets.