TEHRAN: Iranian authorities on Tuesday granted pardons to two journalists jailed after covering the 2022 death in custody of Mahsa Amini, which sparked nationwide protests, official media said.
Elaheh Mohammadi, 37, and Niloufar Hamedi, 32, were jailed in September 2022, days after producing media coverage of Amini’s death. The two journalists, both women, had spent more than a year behind bars before their release on bail.
“The cases of Ms Mohammadi and Ms Hamedi have been included in the list of pardons presented on Tuesday and have been awarded amnesty,” said the judiciary’s Mizan Online news website.
Mohammadi, a reporter for the reformist Ham Mihan daily, was arrested after going to Amini’s hometown of Saqez, in the western Iranian province of Kurdistan, to cover her funeral which turned into a demonstration.
Hamedi, a photographer for Shargh daily, was arrested less than a week after Amini’s death after posting a picture of the young woman’s grieving family on social media.
They had both received jail terms for collaboration with the United States, conspiring against state security and propaganda against the Islamic republic.
In August, the lawyers of the two journalists said they had been acquitted of the charge of collaboration with the United States.
Shargh reported on Tuesday that the cases of both journalists were now “closed.”
Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, had been arrested for an alleged breach of strict dress rules for women, in place since shortly after Iran’s 1979 Islamic revolution.
Following her death, months-long protests shook Iran, with hundreds of people, including dozens of security personnel, killed in the unrest, and thousands of demonstrators arrested.
Iran extends amnesty to journalists who covered Amini’s death
https://arab.news/2qxd4
Iran extends amnesty to journalists who covered Amini’s death
- Elaheh Mohammadi and Niloufar Hamedi were jailed in September 2022, days after producing media coverage of Amini’s death
Saudi GEA, MBC Egypt sign strategic media production deal
- Deal covers a range of variety and sports programs alongside several drama series
- nnouncement came during a visit by General Entertainment Authority chief Turki Alalshikh to pursue further strategic partnerships
LONDON: Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority has signed a joint production agreement with MBC Egypt to create high-quality content for Egyptian audiences.
The deal, signed in Cairo under the patronage of GEA Chairman Turki Alalshikh, covers a range of variety and sports programs alongside several drama series, aiming to diversify MBC Egypt’s lineup and bolster regional media ties.
The announcement came during Alalshikh’s visit to Egypt to pursue further strategic partnerships.
Earlier this week, he met newly appointed Culture Minister Jehan Zaki at the ministry’s Zamalek headquarters to explore expanded collaboration in cinema, theater, music and cultural programming.
The two sides discussed deepening ties in line with the longstanding Riyadh-Cairo relationship, including a major cultural project planned for Egypt’s North Coast — currently under study — which Alalshikh described as a significant upcoming initiative.
Alalshikh also revealed plans for a structured program to bring Cairo Opera House artists to Saudi Arabia regularly as part of a broader cultural exchange.
He cited “strong coordination” between the countries and said more initiatives would be unveiled soon.
