The trial of an Iranian journalist arrested after covering the death of Mahsa Amini in September, which sparked widespread protests in the country, began on Monday, her lawyer said. Elaheh Mohammadi, 36, appeared in a Tehran court for the first hearing of her trial, which opened behind closed doors.
His lawyer, Shahab Mirlohi, described the session as "positive", without giving details of the proceedings. He said the date of the next hearing would be "announced at a later date."
" READ ALSO Protest in Iran: a journalist arrested, another convicted
Elaheh Mohammadi, a reporter for the daily Ham Mihan, is one of two journalists jailed for covering the September 16 death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman arrested by morality police for violating the Islamic Republic's dress code, including public veiling. She was arrested on 29 September after travelling to Saghez (Kurdistan province) where the funeral was held and where one of the first demonstrations took place.
His colleague Niloufar Hamedi, 30, of the reformist newspaper Shargh, had been arrested a few days earlier after going to the hospital where Mahsa Amini was in a coma before dying. The trial of this photojournalist is due to begin on Tuesday, said last week the judicial authority.
The two journalists were charged on 8 November with "propaganda" against the Islamic Republic and conspiracy against national security, charges that carry the death penalty.
Several hundred people, including members of the security forces, were killed and thousands arrested during demonstrations in October and November before receding. Seven men were executed for their involvement in the movement.
