Warning from the Family of Younes Azadbar, Imprisoned Retiree, About His 'Health and Life'

Following the hospitalization of Younes Azadbar, a prisoner rights activist for retirees, the National Union of Retirees of Iran issued a statement demanding attention to his medical condition. In a statement released on Wednesday, December 8, they criticized the 'illegal detention' of Younes Azadbar, a protesting retiree, and called for his urgent treatment. The statement, published on the Telegram channel of this retirees' organization, emphasized that due to Younes Azadbar's epilepsy and severe heart disease, he must 'immediately undergo open-heart surgery.' Recently, Younes Azadbar's child wrote on Instagram, stressing the lack of 'necessary equipment and ability to address his father's acute illness' at Hashem Hospital in Rasht, stating: 'My father's health and life are severely at risk.' According to HRANA, a news agency of human rights activists in Iran, Younes Azadbar, a retired telecommunications worker and participant in protests by retirees in Rasht, was arrested by IRGC intelligence agents on July 19 of this year. He has been accused of 'moharebeh' (waging war against God), 'propaganda against the regime,' and 'membership in opposition groups.' The National Union of Retirees of Iran described the charges against this protesting retiree as 'baseless' and held the 'Islamic Republic and its responsible officials' accountable for 'any adverse consequences for political and trade union prisoners.' This retirees' organization emphasized the continuation of their struggle until they achieve their 'just' demands and 'end state injustices.' In recent years, alongside the intensification of economic problems, especially for workers, retirees, teachers, and other wage earners, there has been an increase in security and judicial confrontations with labor and trade union activists. These confrontations, which have prompted widespread protests from human rights, labor, and trade union organizations, have not yet prevented the expansion of labor and trade union protests in Iran. Message from Younes Azadbar from Lakan Prison: After an epileptic seizure, my hands and feet were tied to the hospital bed. The indifference of the prison organization to the treatment of imprisoned labor and trade union activists. Younes Azadbar, a labor activist in Gilan, was accused of 'moharebeh.' Sentences were issued for two labor activists; one labor activist was arrested in Sanandaj.