Iranian Teachers' Union Calls for Urgent Medical Attention and Release of Zartosht Ahmadi Raghab

The Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers' Trade Unions expressed concern over the health condition of Zartosht Ahmadi Raghab, a jailed civil activist, and called for his immediate medical attention and release. The statement noted that Mr. Ahmadi Raghab, a political prisoner held in Qazalhasar Prison in Karaj, has been on hunger strike since October 1 due to 'unjust sentences issued against him during his imprisonment.' The council pointed out that this political prisoner, despite suffering from hernia, arthritis, and eye problems, has been deprived of medical treatment for over seven months and was transferred to a thousand-bed hospital on Sunday, October 22, due to the deterioration of his health and the urgent need for surgery. Zartosht Ahmadi Raghab was arrested on March 7, 2023, while attempting to participate in a teachers' protest against the serial poisoning of school students. The Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers' Trade Unions, citing relatives of this imprisoned civil activist, wrote that he was on the verge of release with the acceptance of a retrial, but 'new and oppressive sentences issued against him in prison have prevented his release.' This national teachers' organization emphasized the 'critical and concerning' health status of Mr. Ahmadi Raghab and raised serious concerns about the consequences of his hunger strike and his physical condition. The council stated that protesters against the poisoning of students are being tried and imprisoned while the main perpetrators and instigators of this tragedy have never been brought to justice. In this context, one can refer to the confirmation of a six-month and one-day prison sentence for Mohammad Habibi, spokesperson for the Tehran Teachers' Trade Association, by Branch 36 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Tehran. This sentence was issued in connection with Mr. Habibi's protest against the serial poisoning of students in schools. A civil activist in Rasht was imprisoned on charges of 'educational and promotional activities' through reading books. Pakhshan Aziz was deprived of meeting with his defense lawyers and family for 100 days. Reza Valizadeh, a former journalist for Radio Farda, was arrested after returning to Iran. A source informed VOA that the maternity leave of Rezvaneh Ahmadkhanbeigi has been revoked. Additional restrictions have been imposed on women prisoners in Evin following protests against body inspection methods.