https://arab.news/83vgt
- Elnaz took part in covering the death of Mahsa Amini while in custory of Iran's morality police
- US-based NGO for journalists' protection urges Iran to release all detained journalists
LONDON: Iran-based journalist Elnaz Mohammadi was detained on Sunday at the Evin prosecutor鈥檚 office in Tehran while her sister, journalist Elaheh Mohammadi, also remains in custody following her coverage of Mahsa Amini鈥檚 death.
Elnaz, head of the social issues desk at the state-run reformist Hammihan newspaper, was summoned by the local authorities 鈥渇or an explanation,鈥� Shargh daily reported.
Elnaz is the twin sister of Elaheh, who was arrested in Sep. 2022 for reporting on the Sep. 16 incident involving Iran鈥檚 morality police, which sparked country-wide protests.
Elaheh, alongside journalist Nilufar Hamedi, has been behind bars since Sep. 29 for 鈥渃onspiracy to commit a crime against national security and propaganda against the establishment,鈥� according to Iran International.
Elaheh and Hamedi face the death penalty if charged and convicted of espionage.
Like her sister, Elnaz covered the fallout from Amini鈥檚 death in her work at Hammihan.
The Committee to Protect Journalists demanded on Monday that Iranian authorities drop any charges against Elnaz and release her immediately and unconditionally.
It could not be immediately verified where Elnaz was held or whether any charges have been filed against her, CPJ wrote in a statement.
鈥淚ranian authorities must immediately release Elnaz Mohammadi, her sister Elaheh, and all other journalists arrested over their coverage of Mahsa Amini鈥檚 death and the ensuing protests,鈥� said Sherif Mansour, CPJ鈥檚 Middle East and North Africa program coordinator.
鈥淎uthorities must let members of the press do their work without fear that they will be summoned and detained,鈥� he added.
The Iranian judiciary has recently expedited the process to sentence 鈥� or free on bail 鈥� journalists and protesters, sending journalist Hossein Yazidi, who was arrested on Dec. 5, 2022, to prison for a year as well as imposing on him a two-year travel ban, as per Shargh newspaper.