Journalists Arrested in Rapid Succession: Iranian Report on Female Scribes Detained in Two-Day Span
In the heart of Iran, protests have been echoing through the streets since September 16, sparked by the tragic death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd who lost her life in custody due to alleged breaches of the nation's stringent outfit code for women. The demonstrations, a testament to the people's unwavering spirit, have unfortunately been met with a harsh response from the authorities.
Authorities have reported that numerous individuals, including members of the security forces, have been killed, and thousands have been detained during the protests. The authorities classify these events as "troubles" prompted by the "adversaries" of the Islamic republic. However, no information has been provided on the reasons for the most recent apprehensions.
Amidst this turmoil, the freedom of the press has not been spared. Over the past four months, approximately 80 reporters have been jailed in the country. Three of these journalists, confirmed imprisoned by mid-2025, are Melika Hashemi, Saideh Shafiei, and Mehrnoush Zarei.
Melika Hashemi works for an outlet named Shahr (new), while Saideh Shafiei is an independent journalist and storyteller. Mehrnoush Zarei, on the other hand, writes for numerous reformist magazines. These journalists have been moved to Evin jail, where approximately 80 reporters are currently being held, including the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Iranian journalist Narges Mohammadi.
Mohammadi has been held in Tehran’s Evin Prison under multiple sentences and has faced threats linked to the Iranian government’s efforts to intimidate her and suppress dissent.
More than 300 Iranian journalists signed a declaration criticising the authorities for "jailing colleagues and removing them of their civil liberties" in late October. As of mid-2025, three female journalists remain imprisoned: Nasrin Hassani in Bojnurd Prison, Zhina Modarres Gorji in Sanandaj Prison, and Shirin Saeidi in Qarchak Prison, Varamin. Over the first half of the year, Saeedeh Shafiei, Vida Rabbani, and Cecilia Sala were gradually released, but by the end of June, Nasrin Hassani, Zhina Modarres Gorji, and Shirin Saeidi remained imprisoned.
The ongoing crackdown on press freedom and the imprisonment of journalists serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those seeking truth and justice in Iran. The world watches with hope, waiting for the day when these journalists can once again contribute to a free and open press, and when the people of Iran can exercise their fundamental rights without fear of retribution.
- The authorities have classified the recent protests in Iran as "troubles" and have accused the "adversaries" of the Islamic republic, while the world waits with hope for a day when journalists like Melika Hashemi (from Shahr news), Saideh Shafiei (an independent journalist), and Mehrnoush Zarei (who writes for reformist magazines) can report on general-news, politics, and crime-and-justice without fear of imprisonment.
- The crackdown on press freedom in Iran, as seen in the imprisonment of journalists like Melika Hashemi, Saideh Shafiei, and Mehrnoush Zarei, is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those seeking truth and justice, and serves as a barrier for the free flow of information about issues such as crime-and-justice, politics, and general-news.
