Campaign Defending Osman Ismaili Warns of 'Gradual Death Project' for This Imprisoned Labor Activist

The campaign defending Osman Ismaili issued a statement on Thursday, February 8, criticizing the 'security and judicial institutions' for preventing the treatment of this imprisoned labor activist in Saqqez, calling it a project for his 'gradual death.' The statement noted that after continuous follow-ups by Mr. Ismaili's family for his medical treatment, the security and judicial officials of the Islamic Republic stated that this political prisoner's case is with the forensic medicine department in Sanandaj, and they are awaiting a final response to take further actions. The campaign added that Osman Ismaili's medical file was sent from Saqqez prison to the forensic medicine department in Sanandaj on January 13, and two days later, the forensic department described the condition of this imprisoned labor activist as 'urgent' and requested immediate surgery. According to the report, Mr. Ismaili suffers from an inguinal hernia, while he previously suffered from severe asthma, heart disease, and rheumatism. This painter and labor activist announced on October 30 that the Supreme Court confirmed his 16-month prison sentence. Mr. Ismaili wrote on his Instagram page that the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Saqqez sentenced him to 16 months in prison for 'membership in Komala and the Communist Party of Iran.' Typically, the Islamic Republic's government condemns political, labor, professional, and civil activists to prison on security charges. This labor activist mentioned that in court, he defended his labor activities and rejected the charges against him. He also wrote that he appealed the sentence, but the second branch of the criminal execution office of the Saqqez Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor's Office sent a notification stating that the Supreme Court had confirmed the initial ruling.