Female journalists who reported on Jina Amini banned from phone calls and family visits in prison

Journalists imprisoned in Iran for their news reports on Jina Mahsa Amini, who was murdered by the morality police in the capital Tehran, were banned from phone calls and family visits.

Êran Jalili, the mother of journalist Nesim Sultan, announced on 10 December 2023 that Ilahe Mohammadi and Niloufer Hamidi were not allowed to meet with their families in prison. Speaking to Iranian opposition media, Jalili said, "Nesim Sultan, Ilahe Mohammadi and Niloufer Hamidi were banned from phone calls and family visits."

Iran's Supreme Court announced its verdict on 23 October 2023 against female journalists Ilahe Mohammadi and Niloufer Hamidi for reporting on the murder of Jina Mahsa Amini by 'morality police' on 16 September 2022.

The Islamic Revolutionary Court convicted Ilahe and Niloufer of 3 separate offences after an investigation. Ilahe Mohammadi was sentenced to 6 years in prison for 'collaborating with the US, which is defined as an enemy state', 5 years in prison for 'conspiracy against national security' and 1 year in prison for 'propaganda against the Islamic Republic'.

Niloufer Hamidi was sentenced to 7 years in prison for 'collaborating with the US, which is defined as an enemy state', 5 years in prison for 'conspiracy against national security' and 1 year in prison for 'propaganda against the Islamic Republic'.

The journalists were also banned for 2 years from being members of any political party, group, organisation or association under Article 23 of the Islamic Penal Code.

Êran Jalili condemned the measures and reacted to the denial of the journalists' right to meet their families.