Iran: arrest of three women journalists

At least three female journalists have been arrested in Iran, according to local sources, amid protests sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini in September.

"In the past 48 hours, at least three journalists - Ms. Melika Hashemi, Ms. Saideh Shafiei and Mehrnoush Zarei - have been arrested," the Tehran Journalists Association said in a statement.

No details were given on the reasons for the arrest of these journalists working for newspapers and an agency.

79 journalists arrested

The reformist daily Etemad said they had been transferred to Evin prison in Tehran.

This newspaper estimates at 79 the number of journalists arrested since the beginning of the demonstrations in the country four months ago.

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At the end of October, more than 300 Iranian journalists and photojournalists had criticized the authorities in an open letter for having "arrested (their) colleagues and for having deprived them of their rights" in particular "access to their lawyers".

Authorities say hundreds of people, including members of the security forces, have been killed amid protests since the September 16 death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini following her arrest by vice police. for alleged violation of the dress code for women.