Exclusive; Judicial Authorities of the Islamic Republic Ignore the Critical Health Condition of Younes Azadbar, Imprisoned Labor Activist

An informed source told Voice of America about the continued indifference of the judicial authorities of the Islamic Republic to the critical health condition of Younes Azadbar, a labor activist imprisoned in Rasht, despite his need for heart surgery. The source, who requested anonymity, stated that Younes Azadbar remains hospitalized in Heshmat Hospital in Rasht and added that his family is trying to obtain the necessary permits to transfer him to a hospital with the required facilities for the surgery. Previously, Mehrdad Azadbar, the son of this imprisoned labor activist, had written on Instagram that his father is hospitalized 'with four guards and handcuffs.' Younes Azadbar, a retired telecommunications worker and participant in the protests of retirees in Rasht, was arrested by the intelligence agents of the Revolutionary Guard on July 19 of this year. He has been accused of 'moharebeh' (waging war against God), 'propaganda against the regime,' and 'membership in opposition groups.' In addition to his severe heart disease, he also suffers from epilepsy. In this regard, the National Union of Retirees of Iran has called the accusations against this protesting retiree 'baseless' and has placed the responsibility for 'any adverse consequences for labor and political prisoners' on the 'Islamic Republic system and the relevant officials under its command.' In recent years, alongside the expansion of protests by workers, teachers, retirees, and nurses in various cities of Iran, the security and judicial confrontations of the Islamic Republic with labor activists, retirees, and teachers have intensified. The family of Younes Azadbar, the imprisoned retiree, has warned about his 'health and life.' Narges Mansouri, an activist opposed to the Islamic Republic, has been arrested again. Sentences have been issued for two labor activists; one labor activist was arrested in Sanandaj. Mohammad Davari, a civil activist, was sentenced to four years and six months in prison. Peyman Farhangian, a poet and labor activist, was sentenced to one year in prison.