Trial date set for three detained journalists

The trial of Issa Saharkhiz, Ehsan Mazandarani and another joualist, who were arrested last November by the Revolutionary Guards in the course of a state operation to “combat infiltrators”, is set for March 6.

Mahmoud Alizadeh Tabatabayi, the lawyer for the joualists, reported that he received the court notice today and the joualists will be attending court on March 5 before Judge Maqiseh.

He reported, however, that he has not yet been granted leave to view the file against his clients.

Earlier this month, Alizadeh Tabatabayi told ILNA that following investigations, the investigator has not been able to make a case for “infiltration” and the charge against them is now “propaganda against the regime”.

His attempts, however, to release his clients on bail or move them from the Revolutionary Guards Prison to a general prison have not proved successful.

Last week, Issa Sahakhiz went on a dry hunger strike to protest against his arrest, and while he stopped the strike after receiving promises from the prison authorities, the latest reports indicate he has once again begun the hunger strike after being transferred to solitary confinement without explanation.

More than 90 joualists have written to the authorities calling for the release of their colleagues.

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