Escalating pressure on Kurdish Journalists Keyhan Mohammadi-Nejad and Sina Ghasemizadeh: From threats to fabricated charges
Hengaw – Friday, May 30, 2025
Keyhan Mohammadi-Nejad and Sina Ghasemizadeh, two Kurdish journalists and human rights defenders originally from Urmia and currently based in Erbil (Hewler), the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, have faced growing pressure from Iranian security agencies in recent months. This pressure has included threats, judicial harassment, and the intimidation of family members in an apparent effort to silence their journalistic and human rights work.
According to information obtained by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Iranian security institutions—particularly the Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)—have intensified efforts to target the families of these journalists. In recent weeks, authorities have summoned, interrogated, and verbally abused their relatives in Iran, using them as leverage to force Mohammadi-Nejad and Ghasemizadeh to halt their activities.
Security forces have also initiated legal proceedings against the two journalists by orchestrating complaints through affiliated individuals. Charges brought against them include “propaganda against the state,” “insulting religious sanctities,” and “actions against national security”—allegations frequently used by Iranian authorities to criminalize dissent.
Mohammadi-Nejad and Ghasemizadeh have served as administrators of prominent news platforms focused on Urmia and have been particularly active during the Jin, Jiyan, Azadi (Woman, Life, Freedom) movement. Their work—both on public platforms and personal accounts—has attracted significant public attention and, consequently, scrutiny from Iranian authorities.
In addition to their independent reporting, the journalists have collaborated with Kurdish-language and international media outlets and have worked closely with human rights organizations, including Hengaw. Their advocacy and reporting have played a critical role in documenting state violence and promoting civil rights.
In recent developments, accounts linked to Iranian security agencies have sent explicit threats via social media and private messages, warning the journalists of “physical elimination” should they continue their work. These threats have caused deep concern among their families and further highlight the grave risks faced by journalists and human rights defenders operating in exile.
The Hengaw Organization for Human Rights unequivocally condemns all acts of intimidation, harassment, and threats against its collaborators and independent journalists by the Islamic Republic of Iran. Hengaw calls on international human rights institutions and press freedom organizations to closely monitor the situation of Mohammadi-Nejad and Ghasemizadeh and to extend protective measures and support in line with international human rights standards.
