Three Imprisoned Labor Activists Demand Cancellation of Sharifeh Mohammadi's Death Sentence

In response to the death sentence issued for Sharifeh Mohammadi, a labor activist, three imprisoned members of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company issued a statement calling for the cancellation of this sentence and her immediate and unconditional release. The Telegram channel of the Syndicate published the statement from Reza Shahabi, Davood Razavi, and Hassan Saidi on Thursday, July 21, stating that the death sentence for Ms. Mohammadi is 'insane' and the accusation of 'baghi' (rebellion) against her is 'baseless.' The statement reads: 'There is no worker or honorable human being throughout the country who does not find the baseless accusation of 'baghi' and the cruel death sentence against Sharifeh Mohammadi astonishing, insane, and unacceptable.' The Revolutionary Court of Rasht sentenced Sharifeh Mohammadi to death on charges of 'baghi' or 'armed rebellion against the regime' just one day before the second round of Iran's presidential elections, which sparked widespread reactions from civil and political activists. Sharifeh Mohammadi, 45, from Miyaneh in East Azerbaijan and residing in Rasht, was arrested by Rasht's intelligence agents on December 5, 2023, on charges of 'propaganda against the regime.' Sources from Radio Farda state that despite her social concerns, she has had no political activities, and the issuance of a death sentence against this labor activist on the attributed charge of 'baghi' is aimed at 'intimidating the labor movement' in Iran. The three imprisoned members of the Syndicate also wrote in their statement: 'It is no secret that the security forces and the judiciary have deep sensitivity, hatred, and fear towards independent, rights-seeking, and protesting workers and labor organizations.' The statement added that 'it is as clear to us signatories of this text as it is to the issuers of the brutal death sentence against Sharifeh Mohammadi that she has committed no crime, and her previous membership in the Coordination Committee should not be considered a crime.' The 'Coordination Committee' is a labor organization established independently of employers, the government, and political parties, and a significant number of workers and labor activists from various regions of the country, including Sharifeh Mohammadi, have joined it. The issuance of the death sentence for Sharifeh Mohammadi has faced widespread reactions from domestic and international human rights organizations and civil political activists. Several religious intellectuals outside Iran also described the death sentence for Sharifeh Mohammadi, a labor activist imprisoned in Lakan prison in Rasht, as 'incredible' and stated: 'Since the charges against Ms. Sharifeh Mohammadi are completely unfounded, her death sentence must be immediately revoked by the Supreme Court.' This statement was signed by individuals such as Mohammad Javad Akbarin, Hassan Youssefi Ashkouri, Abdolali Bazargan, Meysam Badamchi, Reza Beheshti Moaz, Soroush Dabbagh, Alireza Raji, and Reza Alijani. A group of female prisoners held in Evin prison also condemned the death sentence for Sharifeh Mohammadi, warning that this could be a prelude to issuing 'heavier sentences' for other opponents of the Islamic Republic. The Council of Cultural Teachers stated that the death sentence for Sharifeh Mohammadi is aimed at 'suppressing' activists. Sixteen female prisoners on Tuesday, July 19, wrote in a statement received by Radio Farda: 'This is not only the death sentence for Sharifeh but the death sentence for all of us, labor, political, civil, human rights activists, and women activists.' Narges Mohammadi, Golrokh Iraei, Anisha Asadollahi, Vida Rabani, and Sepideh Ghalean are among the signatories of this statement.