Beating of Imprisoned Teacher and Transfer to Solitary Confinement in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad

The Free Union of Iranian Workers reported that Jawad Laleh Mohammadi, a imprisoned teacher and signatory of the '14 Statement', was severely beaten on Tuesday, November 9, and subsequently transferred to solitary confinement in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad. According to the report, the harassment of Mr. Laleh Mohammadi and his family, along with the denial of visitation on November 9, led to a protest by this political prisoner. Following this protest, prison staff severely beat Mr. Laleh Mohammadi, and despite having bruises under his eyes, a ruptured eardrum, bleeding, and being in poor health, he was moved to solitary confinement. A group of 14 political and civil activists published a statement in June 2019 addressed to Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, demanding his resignation and a change to Iran's constitution. This request was supported in August 2019 by 14 female civil activists who also called for a transition from the Islamic Republic and the drafting of a new constitution. All signatories of these letters faced heavy prison sentences upon their arrests. Jawad Laleh Mohammadi, Abbas Vahidian Shahroodi, Zartosht Ahmadiraghab, Fatemeh Sepahri, Mohammad Nourizad, and Mohammad Hossein Sepahri are among the signatories of this statement. Jawad Laleh Mohammadi, who has been the spokesperson for the group of 14, was arrested in February 2020 following a phone summons and faced a 9-year prison sentence. Officials of the Islamic Republic accused the signatories of these letters of attempting to 'design a new sedition'. Jafar Ebrahimi, a veteran imprisoned teacher, was released on charges of 'illegal sit-in', while Hashim Khashtar, another imprisoned teacher, was tried again. Zartosht Ahmadiraghab stated that the Islamic Republic is trying to suppress uprisings and protests through arrests and repression. Fatemeh Sepahri was sentenced to one year in prison. The confirmation of a six-year prison sentence for a labor activist; Sara Siyahpour stated that they take 'vengeance' from teachers. Labor and teacher organizations supported the campaign for 100,000 signatures. The Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers' Trade Unions condemned the torture of Jawad Laleh Mohammadi.