Journalists Covering Death Of Mahsa Amini To Stand Trial Next Week

Niloufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi, two journalists arrested for reporting the death of Mahsa Amini, will stand trial next week.

The hearing will begin on May 29 according to the Judiciary Spokesman Masoud Setayeshi.

Niloofar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi were arrested nine months ago for coverage relating to the controversial death of the young Iranian-Kurd who died in police custody, sparking months of nationwide protests.

Dozens of activists and human rights groups have criticized the lack of access of these two journalists to their lawyers.

On Tuesday, Mohammad Hossein Ajorlou, the husband of Niloufar Hamedi, wrote on Twitter that after the ninth month of detention, the hearing date is determined, but has not been communicated to the two, nor to the lawyers.

"Less than a week until the hearing, the lawyers still haven't been able to talk with their clients," Ajorlou wrote.

Meanwhile, the Committee for Protection of Journalists slammed the judicial system, reaffirming that journalism is not a crime.

Iran's Ministry of information and the IRGC Intelligence Organization in a joint statement on October 28 accused Hamedi and Mohammadi of spying for several foreign agencies including the CIA, MI6 and Mossad.

In the latest Freedom House report, Iran ranked 12th out of 100 countries for lack of freedoms, including rights to free speech.