HRW calls on Iran to drop 'vague' charges against three journalists

Iranian authorities must drop charges against three journalists over their reporting and writing on social media, leading rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Monday.

The authorities in Iran "brought vague 'propaganda' and 'national security' charges against Saeideh Shafiei, Mehrnoush Zarei Henzaki and Nasim Sultan Beigi", HRW said, adding that their trial was set for Monday.

The maximum sentence for each of the charges under articles 500 and 610 of the Islamic Penal Code of Iran is five years in prison.

"Iran's judiciary has once again begun summoning and harassing journalists and human rights defenders, punishing anyone who refuses to remain silent," said Tara Sepehri Far, HRW senior Iran researcher.

"The authorities have been relentless in prosecuting and punishing anyone reporting on the social issues and grievances that were central to the protests over the last months."

Shafiei's charges were related to articles she wrote for Peace Mark magazine on issues such as increasing poverty and the government's management of energy subsidies and public resources.

Henzaki's charges were linked to articles written on reproductive laws and the state of the country's national parks.

The charges against Sultan Bigi were based on her collaboration with various local and foreign media organisations.

"The prosecutor has apparently sought the most severe penalty for Sultan Bigi due to her lack of cooperation during her interrogation and her promotion of the removal of the hijab," HRW said in a statement.

The US-based rights group added that articles 500 and 610 of the Islamic Penal Code of Iran outlaw "propaganda against the state" and "assembly and collusion to commit acts against national security".

"Iran has a long history of using vaguely defined national security charges against protesters, dissidents, and journalists in trials that fall grossly short of international standards," HRW said.