Evin Prison Officials Oppose Leave for Nasrin Javadi, Retired Worker

On Wednesday, the Free Workers Union of Iran reported that officials at Evin Prison opposed the leave request of Nasrin Javadi, a retired worker and member of this labor organization, and that the deputy prosecutor overseeing the prison reacted harshly and inhumanely towards her family. The independent labor organization stated: "Following the transfer of Nasrin Javadi's only child to the intensive care unit of Shahid Tajrish Hospital and the visit of one of Ms. Javadi's relatives to the Evin Prison Execution Office to obtain leave for her, Niri, the deputy prosecutor overseeing Evin Prison, reacted harshly and inhumanely and refused to listen to her. This reaction occurred despite another official in the Execution Office stating on Tuesday, November 1, that 'Nasrin's leave request has reached us, and we are processing it.' The organization also noted that Nasrin Javadi's child lives alone due to the death of her father and having no siblings, and on October 21, neighbors noticed her poor condition and unconsciousness, leading to her transfer to the intensive care unit of Shahid Tajrish Hospital. However, 'despite this situation and the leave request submitted by Ms. Javadi to the Evin Prison Execution Office, not only was there no attention to these circumstances, but there was also a violent verbal confrontation with one of Nasrin's relatives who was following up on her leave.' According to the report, Nasrin Javadi, 68 years old and suffering from multiple illnesses, has been imprisoned in the women's ward of Evin for nearly three years, and during this time, despite her requests, security and judicial authorities have not approved her medical leave. The Free Workers Union of Iran pointed out that the only crime of Ms. Javadi, as a retired worker, has been defending her own and her peers' labor rights, adding: 'The oppressors in security and judicial institutions who have imprisoned a 68-year-old retired worker for her labor activities and participation in peaceful International Workers' Day ceremonies in front of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, and who are torturing her daily with severe psychological pressure, should know that they will not be able to prevent the rightful demands of working and retired teachers with threats and imprisonment, and it will not be long before the disgraceful system of oppression is dismantled by workers and other oppressed people.' Opposition to leave or medical leave for political prisoners in the Islamic Republic of Iran is not new and is used by activists and labor and human rights organizations as a tool for their harassment. Nasrin (Azam) Khazari Javadi was arrested on May 1, 2019, during the International Workers' Day gathering in front of the Islamic Consultative Assembly and was temporarily released on June 8 after 29 days of detention upon posting bail. Ms. Javadi was sentenced by Judge Afshari in Branch 26 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Tehran to a total of 7 years in prison and 74 lashes on charges of conspiracy and collusion against national security, disturbing public order and comfort, and propaganda against the regime, and this sentence was upheld in the appeals court. She was transferred to Evin Prison on July 2 of the previous year to serve her 7-year sentence. She is a 66-year-old retired worker and a founding member of the Social Security Retirees' Labor Council (Basta).