The journalist Jila Baniyaghoob was tried in court

January 2, 2007 (12 Dey1385)

Zanestan site news group:

The court session dealing with accusations against the journalist and reporter Jila Baniyaghoob, was held yesterday (1st January, 2007) before the Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran. Based on the charges set out by the Prosecutor’s representative, Baniyaghoob has been accused of «acts against national security, » through « propaganda against the Islamic Republic Regime » and « participation in the illegal women’s demonstration in Tehran ».

Baniyaghoob, who was present in the court accompanied by her lawyer Dr. Farideh Gheirat, responded to the questions put forward by the Judge and denied all the accusations.

Referring to article 27 of the Constitution, Dr. Gheirat considered the June 12 (2006) gathering demanding legal equality for women at the 7 Tir Square in Tehran as a legal assembly.

The prosecutor considered the gathering as contrary to the principles of Islam and illegal as some of the demands formulated during the manifestation included “equal inheritance for women and men” and “a ban on polygamy”.

Jila Baniyaghoob’s lawyer also insisted that her client had been present at the June 12 women’s demonstration in the framework of her profession as a journalist in order to cover the event and that this was absolutely legal.

Jila Baniyaghoob was arrested by the Police on June 12 2006 while accomplishing her profession as a journalist covering the gathering contesting unjust laws concerning women. She was transferred to quarter 209 of Evin Prison.

She was released upon paying a bail one week later.

Jila Baniyaghoob is presently the editor-in-chief of the on-line publication “Kanoon-e Zanan” and head of the “Social and women’s group” of the daily Sarmayeh.

Link in Persian: http://herlandmag.net/news/07,01,01,09,41,17