Iran frees journalists detained for Mahsa Amini's death coverage

Tehran: Two Iranian journalists, Niloufar Hamedi (31) and Elaheh Mohammadi (36), were released from Evin prison on bail after spending over a year behind bars for covering the death of Mahsa Amini, triggering nationwide protests.

The journalists, both appealing their sentences, will pay a bail of 100 billion rials ($192,307) and are prohibited from traveling abroad until the appeals court decision, reported Tasnim news agency.

Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, died in custody in September 2022 after being arrested for an alleged breach of strict dress rules for women.

Following her death, Hamedi, a photographer for Shargh newspaper, was arrested for posting a photo of Amini's grieving family on social media. Mohammadi, a reporter for Ham Mihan newspaper, was detained while covering Amini's funeral, which turned into a demonstration.

In October, the Mizan Online website reported that the journalists were found guilty of collaborating with the United States, conspiring against state security, and propaganda against the Islamic Republic. Mohammadi received a six-year prison term, while Hamedi was sentenced to seven years, both for the same offenses. Additionally, they each received five-year sentences for conspiracy charges and one for propaganda, to be served concurrently.

Their release comes amid heightened scrutiny on journalists following Amini's death, with reports of over 90 journalists being questioned or arrested since the nationwide protests erupted.

The protests resulted in hundreds of casualties, including security personnel, and thousands of arrests, with authorities accusing demonstrators of participating in Western-fueled "riots."