The Syndicate of the Tehran Bus Company Condemns the Charge of 'Baqi' Against Sharifeh Mohammadi

The Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company strongly condemned the charge of 'baqi' against Sharifeh Mohammadi, a labor activist from Rasht. The syndicate described the accusation as 'completely baseless' and 'utterly false,' calling for her immediate and unconditional release. Sharifeh Mohammadi was arrested on December 5 last year and has been held in solitary confinement for several months. Reports indicate severe torture and physical and psychological pressure on her to obtain forced confessions. Ms. Mohammadi has also been deprived of the right to visit her family and make phone calls. The syndicate stated in a statement that the 'physical pressures and repeated mistreatment' of Sharifeh Mohammadi by the Ministry of Intelligence were such that they may have led to prison officials protesting her beating out of fear for her life. The syndicate added that 'after prison officials protested Sharifeh's torture, she was able to file a complaint. It has now become clear that Sharifeh Mohammadi has been severely tortured at least twice during this period.' The syndicate described these actions as 'scenario-making' and 'systematic harassment' against labor activists. Previously, on June 26 of this year, Sharifeh Mohammadi's mother expressed concern about her daughter's situation and called for information about her. Sharifeh Mohammadi's husband was also arrested for pursuing her situation but has recently been released. This occurs amid intensified security and judicial crackdowns on labor activists, teachers, and retirees. Following the rampant inflation rates in recent years and the significant gap between household income and expenses, various groups, including workers, teachers, and retirees, have organized widespread protests and strikes in recent years. These protests intensified amid the 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the morality police, but were met with severe government repression.