Three journalists Saeedeh Shafiee, Mehrnoosh Zarei Hanzaki, and Nasim Sultan Beigi, have been summoned to present their final defense at the Evin courthouse in Tehran.

The journalists were notified separately on April 24th to appear at the Evin courthouse within five days to present their final defense and closing arguments. They are accused of “propaganda against the regime,” with their various writings cited as evidence.

Nasim Sultan Beigi, a journalist and former student activist, was arrested by IRGC intelligence agents at the airport while leaving the country on January 11, 2023, and taken to Evin prison. She was temporarily released on February 6th of the same year, pending the conclusion of legal proceedings.

Saeedeh Shafiee, a journalist and writer, was arrested by security forces in Tehran on January 22, 2023. She was temporarily released after posting a bail of 500 million tomans, pending the conclusion of legal proceedings.

Mehrnoosh Zarei Hanzaki, who has worked with ILNA, ISKA, Chalcheragh, and Anna news agencies, was arrested by security forces in Tehran on January 22, 2023. She was transferred to the IRGC Intelligence Detention Center, known as Section Two, before being moved to Evin prison. This journalist suffers from migraines and was denied access to her medication during detention. She was finally released from Evin prison in mid-February 2023.

At the time of their release, it was widely assumed that they, along with many other imprisoned protestors, had been granted amnesty under the “pardon and commutation” directive, which was supported by statements made by judicial officials. However, it has since come to light that this assumption was incorrect, and they are still facing ongoing legal proceedings, as evidenced by the summonses they have received.