Wife of Reza Shahabi and 50 Detained Protesters Released

The Syndicate of Workers of Tehran Bus Company reported that Robabeh Rezaei, the wife of imprisoned labor activist Reza Shahabi, along with 50 others who were detained by security forces in front of the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor and Social Welfare, were released from Evin Prison after several hours. In this regard, a source who wished to remain anonymous told Radio Farda that the detainees were informed in Evin Prison that they should no longer participate in protests. Previously, Robabeh Rezaei had announced that on the morning of Tuesday, January 5, she would go to the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor and Social Welfare to follow up on her imprisoned husband's situation. She pointed out that she was visiting that ministry because the Minister of Labor is responsible for workers' affairs. Following this, the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran Bus Company supported Ms. Rezaei, and several social media users declared that they would not leave her alone. According to reports, Reza Shahabi's health condition, a member of the imprisoned Syndicate of Workers of Tehran Bus Company, has worsened after suffering two strokes in Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj. Meanwhile, the Free Union of Workers of Iran reported that plainclothes forces and police were deployed extensively up to two kilometers from the protest site. Reports indicate that riot police assaulted the protesters. These reports have not been confirmed or denied by official sources of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In this regard, the Telegram channel of the Tehran Bus Company announced that 'agents of the Ministry of Labor' participated in the assault on the protesters. This labor organization did not provide further details. The Telegram channel of this labor syndicate also announced that Hassan Saidi, a member of this syndicate, was transferred to the emergency room of Shariati Hospital after being beaten by security forces during the protest in front of the Ministry of Labor. According to one of Mr. Saidi's acquaintances, this labor activist was transferred to Evin Prison while his clothes were torn and handcuffed after examination and treatment. Robabeh Rezaei, Reza Shahabi's wife, had previously stated in an interview with the newspaper Jameh Farda on January 3 that many promises had been made to address the situation of this imprisoned labor activist, saying, 'From the prosecutor's office to the Ministry of Labor and the parliament, there were promises to address it, but unfortunately, until today, no one has done anything, and the situation has even worsened.' Ms. Rezaei added that her husband had suffered two strokes in Rajai Shahr Prison and his health condition remains critical, yet he is still being prevented from being sent to the hospital for treatment. Earlier, the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran Bus Company had accused 'the prison officials and Tehran's prosecutor's office' of being 'indifferent' to Reza Shahabi's situation. Previously, according to the Telegram channel of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran Bus Company, Reza Shahabi's family during their last visit with him last week observed that his left eyelid was 'uncontrollably closed and weeping, the left side of his lips was crooked, he drags his left foot while walking, the left side of his face is swollen and numb, and there is a depression under his eye.' It has also been reported that Mr. Shahabi suffered a mild stroke on December 13 and faced problems on December 14 as well. When asked by Jameh Farda what this imprisoned labor activist's current request is, Mr. Shahabi's wife responded, 'First, his illness must be adequately followed up and treatment must be provided. Then, the issue of his renewed conviction, which we do not accept, must be addressed, and we request the immediate release of my husband.' The Syndicate of Workers of Tehran Bus Company issued a statement on December 21, noting that the prison doctor had diagnosed his condition as critical at that time, and two days later, prison officials transferred this labor activist to the hospital. According to this report, a specialist doctor at Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran also prescribed 'radiography, double Doppler ultrasound, and tests' for Reza Shahabi, but on the orders of the head of Rajai Shahr Prison, he was not hospitalized and was returned to prison. This labor organization stated that 'at any moment, an irreversible incident could occur for Reza Shahabi' and called for immediate medical action for him. So far, news regarding Reza Shahabi's health has not been confirmed or denied by the officials of Rajai Shahr Prison or the judiciary. Meanwhile, several labor organizations in Iran and labor unions around the world, as well as some human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch and the Iran Human Rights Campaign, have called for his immediate release. In this regard, in recent days, labor unions from Norway, Sweden, and Spain have also demanded the unconditional and immediate release of Reza Shahabi from prison. In Iran, the Syndicate of Sugarcane Workers of Haft Tappeh condemned the continued imprisonment and legal actions against Reza Shahabi and called for his immediate and unconditional release, as well as that of other labor activists and teachers. This syndicate stated that the responsibility for any unfortunate incident and its consequences lies with the judicial authorities and prison officials. When Reza Shahabi presented himself to Rajai Shahr Prison on August 9 under pressure from the prosecutor's office, he realized that the medical leave prescribed by the forensic doctor was not accepted by the prosecutor's office, and he had to remain in prison for another 968 days. Mr. Shahabi went on a hunger strike in reaction to this issue, but on October 27, after 50 days of hunger strike, at the request of his family, the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran Bus Company, and some other labor organizations in Iran and around the world, and following the promise of a 'senior security official' to seriously address his demands, he ended his hunger strike.