Family of Mohammad Habibi, Teacher Rights Activist, Unaware of His Charges

About two weeks after the "violent arrest" of Mohammad Habibi, the charges against this teacher rights activist remain unclear to his family, and he has not had access to a lawyer during this time. Khadijeh Pakzamin, Mohammad Habibi's wife, said on Friday, March 25, to the "Ensaf News" website that the family has regularly visited the prosecutor's office but has received no answers regarding his charges. Ms. Pakzamin stated, "Since Mr. Habibi was arrested, we have constantly gone to the Evin prosecutor's office, but no matter how much we requested a meeting with the investigating judge or a relevant official to inquire about the charges, they did not even let us into the building. Mr. Habibi himself had no contact in the first days, and given the nature of his arrest, we had significant concerns, which led us to have no choice but to interview with foreign media." Mohammad Habibi's arrest was accompanied by severe beatings, which his wife revealed in interviews with media outlets including Radio Farda. She mentioned that Mohammad Habibi was arrested in front of a school and pepper-sprayed in the face at that moment. Furthermore, during the house search, he was severely beaten, resulting in swelling and injury to his eye. The Iran Human Rights Campaign reported on Thursday, citing informed sources, that Mohammad Habibi was charged before being transferred to the IRGC section at Shahid Mohaddesi Prosecutor's Office in Tehran, but the specific charges against him remain unclear. Additionally, judicial-security officials have not allowed Amir Reysian and Hossein Taj, the lawyers chosen by Habibi's family, contrary to constitutional law and due process. Meanwhile, Khadijeh Pakzamin expressed concern about her husband's health, stating, "Mr. Habibi's health issue is important to us. His eye was injured during his arrest. He also had a long-standing neck arthritis that was almost controlled; however, in the last contact, he asked me for a necklace, which increased our worries. We hope to be more informed about Mr. Habibi's health and at least have a meeting with him. Currently, he has inappropriate contacts, and we have not seen him even once." Recently, over 2,000 civil and labor activists have signed a petition online calling for the release of Mohammad Habibi from prison, stating that his activities were labor-related. Mohammad Habibi is a member of the Teachers' Trade Association's board. Parisa Rafiei, a student activist, remains in custody. On Thursday, the Iran Human Rights Campaign also published another report on the conditions of a student activist in prison who has also not had access to a lawyer since her arrest. Parisa Rafiei, a fine arts student at Tehran University, was arrested on March 6 by Ministry of Intelligence agents in front of Tehran University and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. This report, citing one of Ms. Rafiei's friends, states that despite the completion of interrogations and promises from judicial officials, the Ministry of Intelligence agents have so far refused to release her. The friend stated, "A week after her arrest, the Minister of Education promised her release, but the investigator contacted Parisa's father and said that if she does not cooperate, she will not be released. They also called once to ask why you are doing interviews and causing a commotion, as this delays your daughter's release." The informed source finally mentioned that although the court accepted Parisa Rafiei's lawyer, the lawyer has not yet been able to meet her in prison or see her case file, and her charges remain unclear. Sultanali Rafiei, the father of this student, is a member of the reformist Unity Party, which is considered a supporter of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.