Iranian Photojournalist Sentenced to Eight Years Over Protests and Media Work

An Iranian photojournalist who documented anti-government protests and women’s rights has been sentenced to eight years in prison under a newly introduced law targeting cooperation with hostile states.

Years of Documentation

Moaiery has spent years photographing protests, conflicts, and the daily life of Iranians, focusing particularly on the situation of women in Iran.

New Legal Measures

The verdict was issued based on a law introduced after the 12-day war between Israel and Iran in 2025. According to Iranian authorities, these regulations are intended to counteract espionage and cooperation with states considered hostile.

Media Engagement and Evidence

The photojournalist shared photographs showing destruction, including damage to the American CNN station. In March 2026, she also gave an interview to CNN regarding her work.

Charges Against Moaiery

The authorities also accused her of giving interviews to media outlets described as opponents of the regime and transmitting photographs to entities associated with the US and Israel.

Right to Appeal

Moaiery has 10 days to appeal the verdict.

Raids by Security Services

In a statement provided to the Reuters agency, Moaiery stated that during the January anti-government protests, intelligence services of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) searched her home and confiscated her phone, laptop, and other electronic equipment. When the United States launched airstrikes on Iran this year, the services raided her residence once again.

This time they took everything, including even the cameras I had since childhood, she said. I was interrogated several times, and ultimately my case was referred to the 33rd Security Prosecutor’s Office and then to the Revolutionary Court. Moaiery has 10 days to appeal the verdict.

Previous Convictions and Past Detentions

The photojournalist previously served a two-year prison sentence in Gharchak prison. In 2022, she spent three months in prison and was sentenced to eight years in prison for covering nationwide protests under the slogan Woman, Life, Freedom, which broke out after the death of young Iranian Mahsa Amini in police custody. As a result of an amnesty, the sentence was commuted, but Moaiery admitted that the case still exposes her to interrogations by authorities.

Unbroken Resolve

Moaiery herself declares that she does not intend to stop photographing. None of these verdicts made me abandon my path even for a moment, she told the Reuters agency.

Press Freedom Statistics

According to Reporters Without Borders, 16 journalists have already been arrested in Iran this year.

Editorial Note

Edited by Jan Latała