Hundreds of Activists Demand Unconditional Release of Anisha Asadollahi and Keyvan Mohtadi

More than 700 cultural, professional, and political activists issued a statement calling for the unconditional release of Keyvan Mohtadi, a translator and labor activist who is a member of the Iranian Writers' Association, and his wife Anisha Asadollahi, a teacher, translator, and civil activist. The signatories of this statement, published in the electronic publication 'Iran Emrooz', described the two as 'compassionate and cultural figures with ideas' and emphasized that they 'absolutely' do not belong in prison. Anisha Asadollahi and Keyvan Mohtadi, along with several other activists, were arrested after meeting with Cecile Couler and Jacques Pari, a French couple and employees of the 'French Educational and Academic Union'. These two French citizens, who were traveling to Iran for vacation, were detained by security forces in Ordibehesht 1401 (April-May 2022), and Mohammad Jafar Montazeri, the Attorney General, accused them of 'espionage' in Khordad of the same year. Mohtadi and Asadollahi were sentenced to six years and five years and eight months in prison, respectively, on charges of 'conspiracy against national security' and 'propaganda against the regime'. The Iranian Human Rights Organization reported in Dey 1401 (December 2022) that 'parts of Keyvan Mohtadi's writings and translations' published on his personal Instagram page were considered as evidence of 'propaganda against the regime' in court. Mohtadi has been denied leave during his two years in prison. Anisha Asadollahi was temporarily released from prison in Mordad 1401 (July-August 2022) but was transferred back to Evin Prison the following year. The Iranian Writers' Association called for the release of all imprisoned workers and labor activists on May 1, coinciding with International Workers' Day. This association also reported over 1,600 cases of strikes and labor protests in the past year. Since the victory of the revolution in Bahman 57 (February 1979), the Islamic Republic has opposed the activities of independent labor and professional organizations in Iran, which has drawn significant criticism. France accused the Iranian government of using state hostage-taking and extortion policies.