The Times of Israel is liveblogging Sunday’s events as they happen.
Iran arrests journalist whose sister is being held for covering Mahsa Amini funeral
TEHRAN, Iran — Iranian authorities have detained a journalist at a reformist publication, local media report today, as her sister, also a journalist, remains in custody after reporting on Mahsa Amini’s death.
Iran has been gripped by nationwide protests since the September 16 death in custody of Amini, a 22-year-old ethnic Kurd, who had been arrested for an alleged breach of strict dress rules for women.
Elnaz Mohammadi, a reporter for reformist newspaper Hammihan, was detained at the Evin prosecutor’s office in Tehran after she had gone there “for an explanation,” reports Shargh, another reformist daily.
It’s not immediately clear why Mohammadi had been summoned there.
Journalist #Elnaz_Mohammadi was arrested after an appearance at Evin Courthouse. She is a member of the editorial board of Ham-Mihan Newspaper.#Iran pic.twitter.com/dlnckBRDOI
— HRANA English (@HRANA_English) February 5, 2023
Her sister, Elahe Mohammadi, was arrested on September 29 after reporting for Hammihan from Amini’s funeral.
The journalist was subsequently charged with “propaganda against the system and conspiracy to act against national security.” offenses punishable by death.
The procession in Amini’s home town of Saqez in Kurdistan province turned into one of the first protest actions, followed by more than four months of unrest.
Protests held at universities against government’s plans to shake up judiciary
Protests are held at a number of universities and colleges across the country against the far-reaching proposals by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to shake up the judiciary.
Faculty members join students at some of the rallies, including in Haifa and Tel Aviv.
Deputy AG: Judicial overhaul will leave Israel ‘a weaker democracy’
Deputy Attorney General Avital Sompolinsky tells lawmakers that the government’s plans for overhauling Israel’s judicial system will make the country “a weaker democracy.”
Speaking during a meeting of the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, Sompolinsky warns that the proposed changes — which include sharply curbing the High Court’s ability to strike down laws, and cementing full political control over judicial picks — will not ensure a proper balance between Israel’s three branches of government, as its proponents argue.
“The result will not achieve a balanced system of relations, but rather removes checks and balances from the Knesset and government,” she says.
