Sharifeh Mohammadi's 'Difficult and Heavy' Hours in Prison; A Labor Organization Calls for the Release of Shahabi, Saidi, and Rezavi

Simultaneously with the publication of a note from Sharifeh Mohammadi, a political prisoner, regarding the physical and psychological pressures imposed on her during interrogation and thereafter, the Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company criticized the continued imprisonment of three of its imprisoned members on 'baseless' charges and called for the release of imprisoned workers. In a note published on the Instagram pages of her husband, Siros Fathi, and 'Free Sharifeh Mohammadi,' she reflected on the 'difficult and heavy' hours she has endured over the past six months, mentioning beatings during detention, solitary confinement, the pain of being away from her child, and deprivation of in-person visits with her family. This imprisoned labor activist in Lakan prison in Rasht wrote, 'In these six months, there were hours that passed heavily and painfully for me, but I never looked back. When the interrogation papers were slammed on my face, when I was transferred from solitary confinement to the general ward after three months, or when I held my dear Aydin in my arms after three months, and during the first visit after solitary confinement when Siros's tears flowed upon seeing my smiling face.' The Instagram page 'Free Sharifeh Mohammadi' previously noted that during her detention, she managed to meet her 12-year-old son only once. Sharifeh Mohammadi was arrested on December 5, 2023, in Rasht and was accused by her husband of 'supporting a political party.' So far, the security and judicial authorities of the Islamic Republic have not announced the reason for her arrest or the charges against her. The security forces of the Islamic Republic have arrested and imprisoned many activists and defenders of the rights of workers, teachers, and retirees, and these pressures have always faced domestic and international criticism. Meanwhile, the Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company on Friday, May 17, criticized the charges against three of its members; Reza Shahabi, Hassan Saidi, and Davood Rezavi, as 'baseless' and condemned their continued imprisonment 'without even a day of leave.' This labor organization wrote that these three members of the Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company are subjected to 'false case-making' and have been sentenced to 'heavy sentences.' Reza Shahabi, Hassan Saidi, and Davood Rezavi, along with several other labor activists and teachers, were arrested after meeting with Cecile Couler and Jacques Pari, a French couple and employees of the 'French Educational and Academic Union,' in May 2022. The detainees were sentenced to imprisonment and supplementary penalties after long interrogations on charges such as 'gathering and colluding to commit a crime against national security' and 'propaganda against the regime.' Currently, Mr. Shahabi is serving a six-year sentence (five years enforceable), and Mr. Saidi is serving over four years in Evin prison. Mr. Rezavi has been imprisoned for the past 20 months. The Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company criticized these conditions, stating, 'In a situation where looters of public assets, billion-dollar embezzlers, and astronomical rent-seekers are supported by the government, the continued imprisonment of demanding workers is nothing but a clear and shameful injustice.' Recently, a group of labor activists outside Iran issued an open letter to international labor organizations calling for their support for labor protests and the release of labor activists in Iran. International Workers' Day occurs under dire living conditions; professional organizations state that organizing for change is essential. The platform of labor unions in Sweden-Iran called for the release of labor activists, teachers, and civil activists. Sharifeh Mohammadi, a imprisoned labor activist, has been accused of supporting a political party. The extension of Sharifeh Mohammadi's detention comes despite her urgent need for surgery. Threats against imprisoned labor activists in Evin prison coincide with International Workers' Day; a banned statement has been published. There are warnings about the risk of 'paralysis' for a imprisoned labor activist: no action has been taken for the treatment of Osman Ismaili. Officials at Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz are refusing treatment for Najat Anvarhamidi.