Worsening Condition of Reza Aghdasi, Imprisoned Labor Activist; Dadban: His Access to Medical Services is Severely Limited

The Dadban legal advisors group reported the deteriorating physical condition of Reza Aghdasi, a labor activist imprisoned in Evin Prison, stating that "his access to medical and therapeutic services" is severely restricted. On Monday, May 13, they cited an informed source reporting that Aghdasi has recently suffered from a severe ear infection, and prison officials have yet to transfer him to the hospital despite promises. According to the source, following the family's inquiries and the prison authorities' agreement to transfer him to the hospital on May 6, "on that day, for further harassment, he was returned to prison during the transfer to the hospital." The source added that this labor activist is a war veteran from the Iran-Iraq War and has lost complete hearing in his right ear due to this injury. Dadban reported that "prison officials have repeatedly opposed transferring this prisoner to the hospital for the purpose of arranging and receiving a hearing aid." Reza Aghdasi, who was summoned to Evin's interrogation on October 15, was also arrested at his home along with his wife during the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement in 2022. He was arrested and transferred to Evin Prison on November 24, 2023, after appearing at the third branch of Evin Prosecutor's Office. In December of the same year, he was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, to eight months in prison for "propaganda against the regime" and three years and seven months for "collusion and conspiracy to commit a crime against national security," taking into account previous detention time. The intensification of crackdowns on labor, civil, and professional activists has faced severe criticism from labor and teachers' unions worldwide. These unions emphasize the necessity of free activity for organizations in Iran, free from any suppression. Reza Aghdasi, the imprisoned labor activist, is deprived of medical care despite his "poor physical condition."