Warning from Hundreds of Teacher and Worker Activists: The Life of Aziz Qasemzadeh is in Danger in Lakan Prison, Rasht

Hundreds of teacher and worker activists issued a statement warning that "the life of Aziz Qasemzadeh is in danger" and called for "leave or freedom" for the spokesperson of the Gilan Teachers' Trade Association. Aziz Qasemzadeh reported to Lakan Prison on Wednesday, January 10, despite having "valid medical documents and diagnoses from specialist doctors regarding the continuation of medical leave," but was transferred to prison "in handcuffs" due to the judge's refusal to extend his medical leave. The statement, signed by 444 teachers and labor activists and addressed to the prosecutor of Gilan Province, was published by the Coordinating Council of Teachers' Trade Associations on Sunday, January 15. It states that Qasemzadeh, based on the "orders of his treating physician," must "undergo tests for two weeks while taking prescribed medication." The signatories emphasized that with the refusal to extend the leave, Aziz Qasemzadeh's treatment process has been halted and his life is "in danger." The statement requests the Gilan prosecutor to instruct the supervising judge of the prison to agree to the leave for the spokesperson of the teachers' association so that "his treatment process is not disrupted." Previously, Aziz Qasemzadeh's sister announced that "judicial authorities have opposed the continuation of Aziz's medical leave while he is facing a worsening illness" and, according to the doctor's orders, he must "be examined and medically reviewed again at the end of January," but "with the refusal to extend the leave, his treatment process has been halted." Aziz Qasemzadeh, a teacher and member of the Gilan Teachers' Association, has been permanently dismissed from the Education Ministry since September 29, with 25 years of experience. Previously, the third branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Rasht sentenced this imprisoned teacher to one year in prison on charges of "propaganda against the regime," and Qasemzadeh has been in Lakan Prison since April 8 of this year. Participation in teachers' trade gatherings, singing songs at protest gatherings, and giving interviews to foreign news networks have been cited as examples of the charges against Aziz Qasemzadeh. Earlier, Najat Bahrami, an analyst on Iranian issues who previously served as the deputy head of public relations at the Ministry of Education, told Voice of America that despite the shortage of teachers in Iran, the Islamic Republic insists on Islamizing schools.