Teachers' Solidarity in Detention; Aziz Qasemzadeh Calls for Immediate Release of Jafar Ebrahimi

Aziz Qasemzadeh, a detained teacher in Lakan Prison in Rasht, criticized the transfer of Jafar Ebrahimi, another imprisoned teacher, from Evin Prison to Qezel Hesar Prison in a message on Sunday, September 10. He emphasized the need for Ebrahimi's immediate release and for providing him with medical treatment outside of prison. According to the Free Workers Union of Iran, Qasemzadeh pointed out the unfortunate and unpredictable incidents that have previously occurred for several sick prisoners, stating: "Not granting legal leave and making conditions harder for a sick prisoner not only lacks any semblance of kindness, tolerance, and compassion, but it also explicitly violates the laws of the country regarding the rights of prisoners, especially sick prisoners." Aziz Qasemzadeh, a teacher with 25 years of teaching experience, is currently held in Lakan Prison for a political case and was permanently expelled from the education system on September 29 by the ruling of the 'Disciplinary Board for the Violations of Education Staff in Gilan Province.' According to the Telegram channel of the Coordinating Council of Teacher Trade Unions of Iran, participating in teachers' union gatherings, singing songs at protest gatherings, and giving interviews to foreign news networks are cited as examples of Qasemzadeh's offenses. Jafar Ebrahimi, an inspector of the Coordinating Council of Teacher Trade Unions of Iran, was arrested in May 2022 and sentenced to five years in prison despite being ill. Erfan Karamvasi, Ebrahimi's lawyer, announced on Sunday, September 3, that a new case had been opened against Ebrahimi due to a complaint from the Tehran Provincial Prison Administration, revealing his transfer to Qezel Hesar Prison and his deprivation of medical leave. The Coordinating Council of Teacher Trade Unions of Iran also condemned Ebrahimi's 'exile' to Qezel Hesar Prison as 'inhumane and illegal' and warned about the 'critical health condition' of this imprisoned teacher. David Edwards, General Secretary of Education International, in a letter dated September 9, referred to the deteriorating health conditions of Jafar Ebrahimi and Ismail Abdi in prison, urging the Islamic Republic to grant them medical leave. The life of imprisoned teacher Jafar Ebrahimi is at risk. Education International urged Khamenei to grant medical leave to Jafar Ebrahimi and Ismail Abdi. Exclusive: Families express concern over the conditions of political prisoners transferred to Qezel Hesar. The Iranian Writers' Association warned that the lives of 13 political prisoners transferred to Qezel Hesar are at risk. Exclusive: Hunger strike of 13 prisoners; Zartosht Ahmadi Raghb, conditions in Qezel Hesar are 'inhumane and unsanitary.' The Teachers' Trade Association of Aligudarz warned about Jafar Ebrahimi's condition; he is struggling with death. The transfer of Jafar Ebrahimi to Qezel Hesar has led to a new case being opened against the teachers' union activist. Several political prisoners have been transferred from Evin to Qezel Hesar.