Livelihood Protests and Pressure on Labor Activists; Lawyer Warns About Davood Razavi's Health Condition

Pressure on detained workers continues, and according to the lawyer of one of them, the judiciary has claimed that a security agency has 'unilaterally' broadcast a 'documentary' about them on state television; this is while the detention of workers is carried out by institutions under the command of Ali Khamenei. News sources have reported that Davood Razavi, a jailed labor activist, has consistently shown 'blood spots' in his tests despite receiving 'personal expense' treatment. Additionally, the family of Hassan Saidi, a jailed activist, is 'in limbo' regarding bail issuance. Despite the detention of labor activists and pressure on workers, labor protests continue, and according to Roozbeh Boulaheri, Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, is 'under pressure from millions of workers,' and reports from security agencies 'about strikes and protests that may not even reach the media' are being sent to him. He stated that protesting workers are 'detained and imprisoned' by institutions affiliated with Ali Khamenei, and 'the charges against them lead to several years in prison.' The statements of the lawyers of several imprisoned workers confirm this issue. According to Hossein Taj, the appeals court has 'exactly' confirmed the six-year prison sentence for Reza Shahabi and Hassan Saidi, of which 'five years' is enforceable, and the 'five-year' prison sentence for Keyvan Mohtadi has also been confirmed at the appeal stage. Mr. Taj stated that the publication of the Ministry of Intelligence report in the '20:30' news section of the Islamic Republic's state television is 'against all legal and religious principles' and affects the 'judicial process,' expressing hope that these sentences will be 'overturned' at this stage. Furthermore, Saleh Nikbakht, lawyer for Davood Razavi, warned about the life-threatening danger to his client, who is ill, stating that he has 'fallen ill during the past eight months he has been in detention' and is receiving treatment 'at personal expense.' He mentioned that following the 'referral of the case' of Davood Razavi and the Syndicate of Workers of the Bus Company to 'the branch presided over by Judge Salavati, I refuse to take it,' stating that the reason for this referral is 'clear to everyone' and 'I am not the lawyer of Davood Razavi in this case in branch 15.' Homa Khodaverdian, the wife of Davood Razavi, a member of the Syndicate of the Bus Company, also told the Emtedad website that when her husband was detained in Greater Tehran Prison, the family tried to 'find a solution' for his 'gastrointestinal problems,' but they were unsuccessful, and transferring this labor activist to Taleghani Hospital with 'ankle and handcuffs' has made 'his condition much worse than before.' Despite the pressures on workers and labor activists, livelihood protests continue, and on Wednesday, May 3, social security retirees gathered in Ahvaz and chanted 'Death to this slavery.' A group of retired teachers and educators also gathered in Tehran, and service workers in Isfahan protested. This report was prepared using reports from 'Emtedad' and reports from Voice of America.