Ostman Esmaeili, Imprisoned Labor Activist, Granted Medical Leave on One Billion Toman Bail

The committee defending Ostman Esmaeili, an imprisoned labor activist, announced that he was released from Saqez prison on Saturday, June 5, after efforts by his family and the committee, on a bail of one billion tomans for medical leave. This campaign wrote on its Instagram page that the Saqez prosecutor's office approved Esmaeili's leave for angiography and continued treatment outside of prison for a duration of 5 days. According to this report, Esmaeili's temporary release occurred under circumstances where the forensic medicine department in Saqez had announced on December 24 of last year that he has a hernia and needs to undergo surgery as soon as possible. Previously, Yadollah Samadi, spokesperson for the campaign defending Ostman Esmaeili, emphasized in an interview with Voice of America that Mr. Esmaeili suffers from multiple illnesses, noting that tests conducted and the opinion of the trusted physician of the forensic medicine organization indicate the severely poor physical condition of this labor activist due to hernia and severe spinal canal stenosis, with the risk of paralysis in his legs. The refusal of Saqez prison officials to treat Mr. Esmaeili has drawn criticism. Among them, the International Union of Food, Agriculture, and Hotel Workers (IUF) called for Esmaeili's medical treatment and release from prison in May. This global federation warned that he suffers from cardiovascular diseases and other ailments, indicating that he is at risk of losing his legs. The committee defending Ostman Esmaeili pointed out that political prisoners held in Iranian prisons are rightful protesters against the dire economic and political conditions prevailing in society and cannot be classified as criminals, thus they should be released as soon as possible and unconditionally. Currently, several labor and professional activists such as Reza Shahabi, Davood Razavi, and Hassan Saeedi require treatment and medical leave, but prison officials, including those at Evin prison, have opposed this matter. Warnings about the risk of 'paralysis' for an imprisoned labor activist: No action has been taken for Ostman Esmaeili's treatment. A letter from labor activists to global trade unions: Demand the release of imprisoned workers in Iran. Officials at Sepidar prison in Ahvaz oppose the treatment of 'Najaf Anvarhamidi.' Officials at Evin, Sanandaj, and Mahabad prisons oppose medical leave for three labor and cultural prisoners. The campaign defending Ostman Esmaeili warned of the 'gradual death project' of this imprisoned labor activist.