Female journalists jailed for Mahsa Amini coverage bailed out

Two Iranian journalists, Niloufar Hamedi, 31, and Elaheh Mohammadi, 36, were bailed out on Sunday after a year of imprisonment for covering the death of Mahsa Amini, a model who died in morality police's custody. 

The journalists were released from Tehran's Evin prison, with each required to pay 100 billion rials ($192,307) as surety against their bail. This news was reported by the reformist Shargh newspaper and confirmed by other Iranian media outlets.

As they appeal their years-long sentences, awarded for their coverage of events that led to Amini's death, Hamedi and Mohammadi will remain out of jail until the appeals court makes a decision. However, they won't be able to go out of the country as they face a travel ban.

Hamedi, a photographer for Shargh newspaper, and Mohammadi, a reporter for Ham Mihan newspaper, were arrested in the aftermath of Mahsa Amini's death in September 2022. 

Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, had been detained by the morality police for allegedly violating the country's dress rules for women and tragically died under mysterious circumstance while in custody. 

Niloufar Hamedi was arrested less than a week after Amini's death, when she went to the hospital where Amini was being treated and posted a photo of the grieving family on social media. Meanwhile, Mohammadi was detained after covering Amini's funeral in Saqez, which turned into a demonstration.

In October, Mizan Online, the judiciary's website, stated that the journalists were found guilty of collaborating with the United States, conspiring against state security, and propaganda against the Islamic republic.

Mohammadi received a six-year prison term, while Hamedi was handed a seven-year term for the same offences. Additionally, both were sentenced to five years each for conspiracy charges and one each for propaganda, to be served concurrently.

The release of the journalists comes amidst a broader crackdown on media following the nationwide protests triggered by Amini's death.

Reports suggest that over 90 journalists have been questioned or taken into custody since the protests erupted, leading to a significant number of casualties and arrests. The authorities have accused the demonstrators of participating in "riots" allegedly orchestrated by Western influences.