Three Imprisoned Members of the Syndicate of the Tehran Bus Company: The Death Sentence for Sharifeh Mohammadi is 'Insane'

Three imprisoned members of the Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company described the issuance of a death sentence for Sharifeh Mohammadi as 'shameless and insane' and called for her 'immediate and unconditional' release. Davood Razavi, Hassan Saidi, and Reza Shahabi, who are held in Evin Prison, issued a statement deeming the charge of 'baghi' (rebellion) against Sharifeh Mohammadi as baseless and characterized the death sentence for this labor activist as 'astonishing and insane.' The statement further noted that government forces and the judiciary of the Islamic Republic have a 'deep sensitivity, hatred, and fear towards workers and independent, rights-seeking, and protesting labor organizations.' A large number of activists, labor organizations, and domestic and international human rights entities have demanded the annulment of Mohammadi's death sentence, calling it 'medieval' and 'criminal.' On Wednesday, a group of religious intellectuals outside Iran described the death sentence for Sharifeh Mohammadi, a labor activist imprisoned in Lakan Prison in Rasht, as 'unbelievable,' emphasizing that it has created 'recurring bitterness in the minds of Iranian freedom-seekers and justice-seekers.' The signatories of the statement stressed that 'since the charges against Ms. Sharifeh Mohammadi are entirely unfounded, her death sentence must be immediately annulled by the Supreme Court.' They urged 'Iranian freedom-seekers and justice-seekers not to remain silent in the face of this blatant injustice and not to allow the blood of a wronged mother from the working class to be unjustly shed.' This statement was signed by Mohammad Javad Akbarin, Hassan Youssefi Ashkouri, Abdolali Bazargan, Meysam Badamchi, Reza Beheshti Moaz, Soroush Dabbagh, Alireza Rajei, Zhila Mohammadi Shari'at Panahi, Reza Alijani, Ahmad Alavi, Rahman Livani, Abdollah Naseri Taheri, Daryoush Mohammadpour, Yaser Mirdamadi, and Mehdi Momken. On Tuesday, July 9, many human rights, civil, and political activists, along with social media users, expressed their opposition to Mohammadi's death sentence by launching a Twitter storm under the call 'Campaign to Defend Sharifeh Mohammadi.' Protests have also been held in various countries, including Sweden, Germany, and Canada regarding this issue. Sharifeh Mohammadi, who had been a member of the 'Committee for Coordination to Help Establish Labor Organizations' over a decade ago, was arrested last December and sentenced to death on July 14 by the Revolutionary Court of Rasht on the charge of 'baghi.' This sentence was issued based on the Ministry of Intelligence's accusation of her membership in 'Komala,' which has been vehemently denied by Mohammadi, her husband, Siros Fathi, and Komala. Additionally, the Committee for Coordination to Help Establish Labor Organizations, of which Mohammadi was a member in the 1980s, has rejected the charges against her. Reports indicate that she has been tortured, and government agents have accused her of 'membership in the armed Komala group' without any evidence. Political prisoners across Iran are on hunger strike in protest against Sharifeh Mohammadi's death sentence. Retirees in Tehran have called for 'Sharifeh Mohammadi to be freed,' while retirees in Shush condemned the death sentence. Sixteen political prisoners have expressed their support for Sharifeh Mohammadi, stating that the government seeks to silence dissent. Two human rights organizations have condemned the death sentence for Sharifeh Mohammadi and called for international intervention. The condemnation of the issuance of the death sentence for Sharifeh Mohammadi continues from various organizations in Iran. Amnesty International has called for the annulment of the death sentence and the immediate release of Sharifeh Mohammadi.