Iran: Local journalist jailed following his reporting over the presidential election

Local journalist Aman Mohammad Khojamli was summoned to Gonbad City court and was transferred to the prison following his reporting over the presidential election in Iran. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns this illegal and groundless arrest and urges the Iranian authorities to release him immediately.

Update July 5, 2021: Journalist Aman Mohammad Khojamli was released from Gonbad Kavous prison on bail on July 5. He was arrested on Wednesday, July 23rd, by the court of Gonbad Kavous and transferred to this prison.

Khojamli is an experienced local freelance journalist who worked for local print media like "Salim" and "Golshan Mehr" as well as several news websites in Golestan province like "Okamiz" and "Turkmen News".

Before his arrest, he told to local media that he was summoned because of his reports and comments about the presidential election in Iran, which was held five days ago. The journalist published some content and reports about the boycott campaign of the presidential election, which the government wanted to censor.

The authorities haven’t made any official statement on the charges he faces and they denied his application for bail.

Growing pressure on journalists

The Iranian authorities had increased the judicial and security crackdown on journalists who covered the campaign for boycotting the election.

It is not the first time Khojamli is arrested. On February 11, the security forces of Gonbad Kavous city arrested him after searching his house and transferred him to the city court. He was released later on bail.

Khojamli had also faced charges of "spreading lies" and "disturbing public opinion" by the Gonbad court last year. He was sentenced to pay a 4 million Toman fine.

The IFJ warned against the increasing judicial and security pressures on journalists ahead of the Presidential election.

For more information, please contact IFJ on +32 2 235 22 16

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 146 countries

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