Front Line Defenders Criticizes the Arrest of Ismail Gerami, Retired Worker

"Front Line Defenders" expressed its concern in a statement regarding the arrest of Ismail Gerami, a retired worker and activist for retirees' rights, stating that he has been targeted "due to his peaceful activities to promote workers' rights, especially the rights of retired workers." Ismail Gerami was arrested on August 12 after appearing at the third branch of the Evin Prosecutor's Office and was transferred to Evin Prison. Front Line Defenders called on the Iranian authorities to "immediately and unconditionally" release Ismail Gerami and overturn his prison sentence. The statement noted that Gerami's arrest appears to be linked to peaceful gatherings of Social Security retirees protesting retirement conditions and the death sentence of Sharifeh Mohammadi, a jailed labor activist. Mohammadi was arrested last December and sentenced to death on July 5 by the Revolutionary Court of Rasht on charges of "moharebeh" (waging war against God). Labor news sources, including the "Iran Retirees Council," reported that judicial agents, following their entry into Ismail Gerami's home on August 8, summoned him to the prosecutor's office based on a summons dated June 30. According to reports, "after a follow-up call, he went to the Evin Prosecutor's Office today (Sunday) at seven o'clock and was then referred to the third branch of the investigation without any summons indicating his status as a suspect." The report states that "based on the investigator's decision and the case officer, a detention order" was issued for Gerami, and he was "transferred to Evin Prison." Last July, the second criminal court of the Qodosi Judicial Complex in Tehran charged Ismail Gerami with "disturbing public order and peace by holding illegal gatherings under the pretext of a gathering of Social Security retirees." Previously, the 33rd Revolutionary Court of Tehran had informed this retired worker of the charge of "disturbing public order by participating in illegal gatherings" in mid-May, but he was released after providing a bail of 500 million tomans. He had previously been arrested for his union activities, including participating in retirees' gatherings, and was sentenced to five years in prison and 74 lashes. In recent months, Ismail Gerami has repeatedly criticized the policies of the Islamic Republic regarding workers and retirees in notes on the Telegram channels of union organizations. In one note, he stated that officials tell retirees to go home and "hug their knees in sorrow" and "pray and curse" and "cry bitterly for their poverty and misery," writing: "We will go to the streets until we get our rights. Victory is ours." In recent years, the Islamic Republic's security and judicial actions against labor activists, retirees, and teachers have intensified, with dozens of them arrested and sentenced to prison on security charges. These actions have led to widespread criticism from labor and professional unions worldwide. Ismail Gerami, a union activist and retired worker, was arrested. The UN Human Rights Committee regarding Iran considered the government's behavior against Sharifeh Mohammadi as "a violation of human rights." Osman Ismaili, a labor activist, was transferred to prison instead of the hospital. The health status of Sarvnaz Ahmadi in Evin Prison has been reported as "very critical"; agents oppose her medical leave. Ebrahim Madadi, one of the founders of the Tehran Bus Workers' Syndicate, was arrested at the Evin Prosecutor's Office.