Sadra Mohaghegh Released on Bail

Authorities released journalist Sadra Mohaghegh on bail on Saturday, October 1. The amount of his bail has not been made public. 

Mohaghegh, the society editor for reformist newspaper Shargh, was arrested on September 19. He was accused of working with “anti-Iranian” media outlets outside Iran.  He had reported on environmental issues in Iran, and interviewed the head of Iran’s Environmental Protection Organization, Vice President Masoumeh Ebtekar, in June, but it was not clear if the charges against him were linked to this aspect of his work. 

In November 2015, authorities arrested several journalists for being part of  “infiltration networks" and alleged “collusion with Western governments." Among those arrested were Ehsan Mazandarani, managing editor of the newspaper Farhikhtegan, who is currently on hunger strike. Last week, a prison guard physically attacked Mazandarani, who has been outspoken about his incarceration and that of his colleagues.