Six Detained Teachers in Iran Sentenced to Imprisonment and Flogging

Six individuals detained during a recent teachers' protest in Tehran have been sentenced to imprisonment and flogging. They had previously rejected a bail of 50 million tomans and were released from Evin Prison under a guarantee. According to reports, these six teachers were among those arrested during the gathering on May 9 in front of the Planning and Budget Organization in Tehran, where they protested for higher wages above the poverty line and against the privatization of education in the country. The 1060th branch of the Tehran Criminal Court sentenced each of them to nine months of imprisonment for 'disturbing public order by participating in illegal gatherings' and 'disobedience to officials during their duties.' Although they denied the charge of 'disobedience,' they were also sentenced to pay a 500,000 rial fine instead of receiving 74 lashes. The website HRANA identified them as Aliyeh Eghdamdoost, a member of the retirees' union, Rasoul Badaghi, a former inspector of the Tehran Teachers' Association, Ismail Gerami, Javad Zolnoori, Hossein Gholami, and Mohammad Abadi. During the mentioned protest, after clashes between police and protesters, several individuals were injured and taken to the hospital, and eight people were arrested. The detainees were transferred to Evin Prison 'with handcuffs and leg shackles' after several days in the security police station on Vezara Street and the seventh police station, and were later released on bail. HRANA reported that the judge conditioned their release on a commitment not to participate in any future gatherings. Meanwhile, the detainees emphasized the legality of peaceful protests and marches while rejecting the judge's demand. Mohammad Habibi, a teachers' union activist, is also among the defendants in this case, having been sentenced by the 26th branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran to ten years and six months in prison, 74 lashes, and a two-year ban on political and social party activities. Mr. Habibi, currently in Evin Prison, has also been sentenced to a travel ban. Reports indicate that the education department has cut his monthly salary as well. Recently, five French labor unions sent a letter to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, holding him responsible for the life of Mohammad Habibi, the imprisoned Iranian teacher, and demanded his release along with other detained teachers. These unions also called for the 'immediate and unconditional release of all imprisoned activists, both men and women, including Ismail Abdi and Mahmoud Beheshti, detained teachers,' stating that their goal is nothing but 'union activities and defending the legal rights of wage earners.' In recent years, a significant number of labor activists, including teachers and workers, have been dismissed, arrested, imprisoned, and exiled. The authorities of the Islamic Republic do not have a positive view of union activities and respond harshly to any such activities. This comes as labor protests in Iran have increased following the privatization of several factories and economic recession.