Iranian photojournalist Yalda Moayeri sentenced to 15 years in prison

An Iranian court has reportedly sentenced prominent photojournalist Yalda Moayeri to 15 years in prison in absentia, in a case involving allegations of activities against Iran and working in the interests of Israel and the United States.

An Iranian court has reportedly sentenced prominent photojournalist Yalda Moayeri to 15 years in prison in absentia, in a case involving allegations of activities against Iran and working in the interests of Israel and the United States.

According to reports, the case was brought under an Iranian espionage-related law introduced in 2025. The allegations reportedly include giving interviews to foreign media outlets and providing photographs to organizations allegedly connected with the United States and Israel.

Authorities also accused Moayeri of using her journalistic work and material published online to advance what they described as the interests of Israel and the United States. However, Reuters reportedly noted that the contents of the court documents could not be independently verified.

The court handed down the 15-year sentence while Moayeri was not present at the proceedings. She has reportedly been given 10 days to appeal the decision.

In addition to the prison sentence, the court ordered the confiscation of her cameras, mobile phones and other electronic equipment. The ruling also reportedly restricts her from participating in cultural and media activities, holding public office and posting on social media.

Moayeri has disputed the circumstances of the proceedings. She said she was unable to attend the trial because she had not received formal notification about the hearing. According to her account, when she went to Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, she was not given complete case documents, while a colleague had to copy details of the charges by hand.

The photojournalist also said Iranian security forces raided her Tehran home in February and confiscated her mobile phone, laptop, cameras and other equipment. A press freedom organization reported that personnel affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps searched her home on February 3 and seized electronic devices.

Moayeri has previously faced legal action in Iran because of her journalistic work. She was arrested in September 2022 while covering nationwide protests that followed the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody. Her arrest occurred during the protests that became associated with the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement. She was released on bail in December 2022.

She has continued documenting political developments and protests in Iran. In early 2026, her photographs from protests were published by the French newspaper Le Monde, while reports indicated that authorities subsequently searched her home and continued legal proceedings against her.

The latest sentence has drawn attention because of its potential implications for press freedom and the ability of journalists to document events in Iran. The case remains subject to appeal, while independent verification of the Iranian court’s allegations remains limited.