Azarpeik lost her unborn child due to high stress following a grueling 9-hour court session

Location: Iran, Tehran
Date: June 12, 2024

Women Press Freedom extends heartfelt sympathies to journalist Saba Azarpeik, unjustly imprisoned, who suffered a miscarriage and lost her unborn child following a grueling 9-hour court session. We are deeply appalled by the treatment of imprisoned women journalists by the Iranian regime. The persistence of physical and emotional strain due to the harsh conditions of imprisonment, which often lack proper medical care, hygiene, and basic amenities, along with the psychological toll of being separated from their families and support systems, coupled with the uncertainty of their future, can exacerbate the distress. We call for prompt justice and the immediate release of Azarpeik, as well as the release of all women journalists who are unjustly imprisoned.

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Unjustly imprisoned journalist Saba Azarpeik lost her unborn child due to a miscarriage on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, Women Press Freedom reports. Azarpeik's husband shared his wife had faced a grueling 9-hour court session the day before the tragic event.

On February 26, 2024, Azarpeik was convicted by a Tehran court on charges of “spreading false information, defamation, and threats” after Iranian parliament speaker and presidential candidate Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, along with MP Mohsen Dehnavi, lodged complaints against her. Azarpeik received a two-year prison sentence, with the possibility of an extension for any similar conduct and a social media ban. 

The imprisonment of women journalists in Iran not only infringes upon their personal freedoms but also has broader implications for press freedom and human rights in the country. By silencing these voices, authorities impede the public's right to information and hinder the critical role that journalists play in holding power to account and fostering transparency in society.

Women Press Freedom has been diligently monitoring and documenting the cases involving women journalists in Iran. We express profound apprehension regarding the regime's continuous suppression of dissent and media freedom. Iran, currently holding the highest number of journalists behind bars, exhibits no signs of slowing down in its practice of imprisoning journalists under false accusations and without fair trials.

Women Press Freedom expresses unwavering solidarity with Saba Azarpeik during this challenging time. We offer our deepest condolences for the heartbreaking loss of her unborn child. We strongly denounce the harsh court proceedings that only amplify the suffering of imprisoned women journalists. We call for the immediate release and complete exoneration of Azarpeik and all women journalists detained. We call on the international community to address the Iranian regime's suppression of media freedom and distortion of information, emphasizing the prioritization of journalists' cases in engagements with Iran.

Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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