Mahmoud Salehi, Imprisoned Labor Activist, Released

The committee defending Mahmoud Salehi, an imprisoned labor activist, reported that he was released from Saqqez prison on Thursday afternoon, December 2. According to the Telegram channel of the Free Workers Union of Iran, the committee did not mention the reasons for Salehi's release, only stating that this labor activist was freed 'following a nationwide campaign to save his life.' Mr. Salehi was arrested by security forces on November 6 to serve a one-year prison sentence. The committee defending Salehi, which is represented by Najibe Salehi, the activist's wife, had previously warned about his physical condition. According to his relatives, Mr. Salehi suffers from heart disease and diabetes, and his kidneys require dialysis twice a week. The committee stated in a statement that 'the doctors treating Mahmoud Salehi sent a letter to the judicial, security, and Saqqez central prison authorities,' warning about his deteriorating physical condition and requesting that he be urgently transferred to a well-equipped hospital in Tehran or Tabriz for the installation of a heart battery due to his numerous heart-related issues. However, the judicial, security, and Saqqez prison authorities did not respond positively to the doctors' requests and kept him in prison despite his very poor physical condition. Mahmoud Salehi was transferred to the Saqqez prison infirmary and then to the intensive care unit of Imam Khomeini Hospital in the city on November 12 due to the worsening of his heart condition, six days after his arrest. His treating physician recommended that he be transferred to a better-equipped hospital in Tehran, Tabriz, or Urmia due to his weak heart, but judicial authorities opposed this and returned him to Saqqez prison on November 20. In this context, the International Confederation of Trade Unions, the World Federation of Trade Unions, the Canadian Public Workers Union (CUPE), five French labor unions, and several labor organizations had called for the immediate release of Mahmoud Salehi. Despite the recommendation of his treating physician, Mahmoud Salehi was returned to Saqqez prison, and security and judicial officials opposed his transfer to a better-equipped hospital. Mahmoud Salehi's family expressed concern about his physical condition. The International Confederation of Trade Unions severely criticized the treatment of labor activists. Amnesty International criticized the use of 'humiliating' methods against Mahmoud Salehi and Mohammad Nazari.