Iran Arrests Three Female Journalists

Iranian women wearing head cover in Tehran - AFP/File
Iranian women wearing head cover in Tehran - AFP/File
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Iran Arrests Three Female Journalists

Iranian women wearing head cover in Tehran - AFP/File
Iranian women wearing head cover in Tehran - AFP/File

Iranian authorities have arrested three female journalists in the past two days, local media said Monday, amid months of protests triggered by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini.

"In the past 48 hours, at least three female journalists, namely Melika Hashemi, Saideh Shafiei and Mehrnoush Zarei, have been arrested in Tehran," reformist newspaper Etemad quoted the Tehran journalists' union as saying.

Shafiei is a freelance journalist and novelist, while Zarei writes for various reformist publications and Hashemi works for an outlet named Shahr, according to local media.

The paper said the three women had been transferred to Evin prison, where many of those arrested in connection with the protests are being held, AFP reported.

It estimated that about 80 journalists have been arrested since the start of the unrest in the country four months ago.

No details were given on the reasons for the latest arrests.

In late October, more than 300 Iranian journalists signed a statement criticising the authorities for "arresting colleagues and stripping them of their civil rights", local media said at the time.



Greenland Leader Says Everyone Should Respect Island’s Wish for Independence

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and the Chairman of Naalakkersuisut, Mute B. Egede attend a press conference in the Mirror Hall at the Prime Minister's Office, at Christiansborg in Copenhagen, Friday, January 10, 2025. (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix/via Reuters)
Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and the Chairman of Naalakkersuisut, Mute B. Egede attend a press conference in the Mirror Hall at the Prime Minister's Office, at Christiansborg in Copenhagen, Friday, January 10, 2025. (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix/via Reuters)
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Greenland Leader Says Everyone Should Respect Island’s Wish for Independence

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and the Chairman of Naalakkersuisut, Mute B. Egede attend a press conference in the Mirror Hall at the Prime Minister's Office, at Christiansborg in Copenhagen, Friday, January 10, 2025. (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix/via Reuters)
Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and the Chairman of Naalakkersuisut, Mute B. Egede attend a press conference in the Mirror Hall at the Prime Minister's Office, at Christiansborg in Copenhagen, Friday, January 10, 2025. (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix/via Reuters)

Greenland's leader said on Friday he had not been in contact with incoming US president Donald Trump, who has said he wants control over the Arctic island, and urged everyone to respect Greenland's wish for independence.

Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, said this week that US control of Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, was an "absolute necessity" and did not rule out using military or economic action such as tariffs against Denmark to make it happen.

"We have a desire for independence, a desire to be the master of our own house ... This is something everyone should respect," Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede said at a joint press conference with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen.