Conflicting Reports on the Physical Condition of Ismail Bakhshi

While government and judicial officials have denied reports of "torture" and "hospitalization" of Ismail Bakhshi, a representative of the Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Workers, some labor organizations have deemed the news regarding his "beating" and "hospitalization" as "credible." The Tehran and Suburbs Bus Workers' Syndicate stated in a statement released on Thursday evening that based on "credible news received," Ismail Bakhshi has been "hospitalized in a security hospital in Ahvaz" but "instead of changing his detention order and issuing a release order, he has been transferred back to detention." This statement, which was also republished by the Haft Tappeh Workers' Syndicate, also referred to the "psychological harassment and physical beating" of Ismail Bakhshi to accept "false charges." Earlier, Gholamreza Shariati, the governor of Khuzestan, and Sadegh Jafari Chagini, the head of the judiciary in Shush, denied reports about "torture" or "hospitalization" of Ismail Bakhshi, confirming his "physical health." Mr. Bakhshi was arrested by security forces in Shush last Sunday, and judicial officials have not yet provided an explanation for the reasons for his arrest.