The Release of Jafar Azimzadeh After Two Months of Hunger Strike

Reports indicate that Jafar Azimzadeh, the head of the board of the Free Workers' Union of Iran, has been released after more than two months of hunger strike, following a promise of retrial and fair handling of his case, as well as an extendable leave. The Free Workers' Union of Iran announced that Mr. Azimzadeh has ended his hunger strike, which had been ongoing since the 10th of Ordibehesht (April 30). In recent days, individuals, personalities, and human rights organizations had expressed concern about the health condition of this labor activist who was on hunger strike. Amnesty International had issued a statement yesterday urging Iran to release Jafar Azimzadeh as soon as possible and unconditionally. In this context, Mohammad Ali Jadari Faroghi, Jafar Azimzadeh's lawyer, stated on Wednesday that he had met with the supervising judge of the prison to determine the status of his client's leave. The lawyer noted that necessary negotiations had been conducted for reviewing his client's 450 million Toman bail at the prosecutor's office, and the relevant judicial authority indicated that the matters would be reviewed and results communicated as soon as possible. Jafar Azimzadeh was one of the coordinators of a petition signed by 40,000 workers for raising the minimum wage and was sentenced to a total of six years in prison on charges of conspiracy against national security, disturbing public order, and propaganda against the regime. This labor activist had previously mentioned in an interview with Radio Farda that Judge Salavati had written in his ruling that he was born with Marxist thoughts. According to the Free Workers' Union of Iran, Jafar Azimzadeh had stated before presenting himself for the execution of his six-year prison sentence that the activities of the Free Workers' Union of Iran were aimed at defending the interests of workers, improving their living standards, and striving to create independent labor organizations as the most fundamental right of the working class.