Journalists put on trial after long wait in jail

Ehsan Mazandarani and Davoud Asadi, two Iranian joualists charged with “propaganda against the regime and acting against national security”, were finally taken to court after being held for months.

Their lawyer Mahmoud Alizadeh told Tasnim News Agency that the trial of the two joualists was held on Monday March 7 before Judge Maghiseh.

Alizadeh added that while Asadi’s defence was completed, Mazandarani’s trial has been extended for another session.

Alizadeh also added that the trial of Issa Saharkhiz, another joualist arrested at the same time as Asadi and Mazandarani, was to be held last Saturday, but since the defence was not given a chance to read the file, the trial was postponed and will possibly be held next week.

Another joualist, Saman Safarzayi, is also reportedly going to stand trial on Saturday.

These joualists were arrested by Revolutionary Guards last November after the Iranian leader Ayatollah Khamenei waed against “enemy infiltration” of the country’s media and cultural affairs.

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