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Journalists Niloofar Hamedi (left) and Elaheh Mohammadi (archive photo): The women were among the first to report on the death of the Kurdish Jina Mahsa Amini

Photo: Mehrdad Aladin / dpa

The controversial trials of two journalists in Iran are taking place behind closed doors. This was reported by the newspaper »Hammihan«. The start of proceedings against Niloofar Hamedi is scheduled for Tuesday. The 30-year-old journalist works for the newspaper »Shargh«.

The trial against her colleague Elaheh Mohammadi was supposed to open on Monday. It was initially unclear whether the proceedings had actually begun. The 36-year-old wrote for »Hammihan« and was arrested more than eight months ago at the beginning of the protests.

Both journalists were among the first to report on the death of the young Kurdish Jina Mahsa Amini. Amini, arrested by Iran's notorious morality watchdogs, died in mid-September. Hamedi posted a photo of Amini's grieving parents on social media. The case sparked the most serious protests in Iran in years. The secret service describes the two journalists as "foreign agents" and accuses them of propaganda against the state.

Oppressive climate in editorial offices

Since the wave of protests, a depressing climate has prevailed in many Iranian editorial offices. "The mood is just bad," a journalist from a well-known media company, who wishes to remain anonymous, told the dpa news agency. The pressure has become much greater.

According to the woman, the journalists usually published messages from the ministries without major changes. Own reports, on the other hand, are meticulously checked "so as not to appear critical". The woman in her early 40s is dependent on her job. She can't and doesn't want to give up.

Nearly 100 media representatives arrested

A look at data from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in New York shows how vehemently the state has cracked down on media workers during the protests. Nearly 100 media representatives have been arrested, most of whom have since been released on bail. Family members are also put under pressure.

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Media representatives across the country had demanded that the trials take place in public. There is great concern that the women will receive harsh punishments behind closed doors.

The trial will be heard by a notorious Revolutionary Court in Tehran, whose presiding judge, Judge Abolghassem Salawati, is known for particularly harsh sentences. As part of the latest wave of protests, Salawati has handed down several death sentences to demonstrators.

Seven demonstrators executed

Just a week and a half ago, Iran's judiciary executed three participants in the mass protests against the regime. This brings the number of death sentences carried out against demonstrators to seven.

Amnesty International described the trials as unfair "sham trials". Critics accuse the political leadership in Tehran of spreading fear and intimidating the protest movement with the executions. Prominent lawyers in Iran also criticized the proceedings.

mpz/dpa