Thirteen Political Prisoners from Qezel Hesar Prison Moved to Undisclosed Location

Thirteen political prisoners held at Qezel Hesar Prison in Karaj were relocated to an undisclosed facility yesterday, September 20.

According to a source with ties to one of the prisoners’ families, relatives are in the dark about their current whereabouts.

On September 3, these prisoners were transferred from Evin Prison to Qezel Hesar. The next day, they embarked on a hunger strike to protest their move to this prison and heavily fortified and ill-equipped Unit 3.

During the transfer, some of these detainees were compelled to leave behind essential items, including medications. Their families and advocates express growing concerns about their welfare.

The prisoners include:

Saeed Masouri: Arrested on January 8, 2001, on charges related to alleged membership in The People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran (MEK) in Dezful County. Initially sentenced to death, his punishment was later commuted to life imprisonment in 2002.

Afshin Baymani: Arrested on September 5, 2000. He was sentenced to death by the Tehran Revolutionary Court for “enmity against God through collaboration with the MEK.” Later, his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment.

Hamza Savari Laftah: Arrested on September 2, 2005, at the age of 16. The Revolutionary Court in Ahvaz sentenced him to death on charges of “spreading corruption on Earth, enmity against God, and acting against national security.” Ultimately, his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment.

Motaleb Ahmadian: Arrested on October 5, 2010, and subsequently sentenced to 30 years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court for “enmity against God through membership in a political opposition party.”

Saman Seydi (Yasin): Arrested on October 2, 2022, during nationwide protests in Tehran. Initially sentenced to death for “enmity against God, and assembly and collusion against national security” by the Public and Revolutionary Court in Tehran. However, his sentence was later overturned by the Supreme Court, and his case was referred back to the lower court for further review.

Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb: Arrested in March 2023 and incarcerated in Evin Prison. The Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced him to five years and eight months in prison, with five years enforceable, along with additional penalties.

Ahmadreza Haeri: Arrested by security forces on June 27, 2022, and subsequently released. He was later sentenced to three years and eight months in prison by the Revolutionary Court in Tehran. Recently, due to a new case filed against him during his imprisonment, he received an additional three months and one day in prison by the Criminal Court in Tehran.

Kamyar Fakour: Arrested on November 6, 2022, during nationwide protests. Subsequently, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced him to eight months in prison, in addition to reactivating his prior eight-month suspended jail term.

Reza Salmanzadeh: Arrested by security forces at his residence on May 12, 2022. He was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Jafar Ebrahimi: A dedicated teacher union activist, arrested on April 30, 2022, and incarcerated in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. In late October 2022, the Tehran Revolutionary Court issued a four-year sentence on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional one-year term for “propaganda against the regime.” Moreover, Ebrahimi received a two-year ban on leaving the country and from participating in political and civil organizations. His sentence, which included four years of enforceable imprisonment, was upheld upon appeal.

Lughman Aminpour, Sepehr Imam Jomeh, and Masoud-Reza Ebrahimi Nejad were previously sentenced to imprisonment for political charges.

Report on the Current Status of Thirteen Political Prisoners Detained in Qezel Hesar Prison

Thirteen political prisoners have embarked on a hunger strike to protest their transfer from Evin Prison to Qezel Hesar on September 3, as well as the dire conditions they now endure in their new confinement.

A source familiar with the situation, closely connected to one of these detainees’ families, informed HRANA, “This group of prisoners initiated their hunger strike on Monday, September 4, in protest of their relocation to a heavily secured and inadequately equipped Unit 3.”

Another relative of these detainees added, “They are confined to a cramped 12-square-meter cell within the Quarantine Ward, typically reserved for inmates on death row prior to execution. They lack basic necessities such as blankets, access to hot water, and the ability to make phone calls.”

As per this source, Unit 3 is currently overcrowded, housing around 1700 inmates, far exceeding its maximum capacity of 1000 inmates. The inmates’ access to fresh air is constrained by a small prison yard covered by a roof with fencing. During their transfer, some of these prisoners were forced to leave behind essential belongings, including their medications.
Some of these prisoners forcibly leave behind some of their belongings during the transfer including medicines.

The prisoners include:

  • Saeed Masouri: Arrested on January 8, 2001, on charges related to alleged membership in The People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran (MEK) in Dezful County. Initially sentenced to death, his punishment was later commuted to life imprisonment in 2002.
  • Afshin Baymani: Arrested on September 5, 2000. He was sentenced to death by the Tehran Revolutionary Court for “enmity against God through collaboration with the MEK.” Later, his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment.
  • Hamza Savari Laftah: Arrested on September 2, 2005, at the age of 16. The Revolutionary Court in Ahvaz sentenced him to death on charges of “spreading corruption on Earth, enmity against God, and acting against national security.” Ultimately, his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment.
  • Motaleb Ahmadian: Arrested on October 5, 2010, and subsequently sentenced to 30 years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court for “enmity against God through membership in a political opposition party.”
  • Saman Seydi (Yasin): Arrested on October 2, 2022, during nationwide protests in Tehran. Initially sentenced to death for “enmity against God, and assembly and collusion against national security” by the Public and Revolutionary Court in Tehran. However, his sentence was later overturned by the Supreme Court, and his case was referred back to the lower court for further review.
  • Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb: Arrested in March 2023 and incarcerated in Evin Prison. The Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced him to five years and eight months in prison, with five years enforceable, along with additional penalties.
  • Ahmadreza Haeri: Arrested by security forces on June 27, 2022, and subsequently released. He was later sentenced to three years and eight months in prison by the Revolutionary Court in Tehran. Recently, due to a new case filed against him during his imprisonment, he received an additional three months and one day in prison by the Criminal Court in Tehran.
  • Kamyar Fakour: Arrested on November 6, 2022, during nationwide protests. Subsequently, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced him to eight months in prison, in addition to reactivating his prior eight-month suspended jail term.
  • Reza Salmanzadeh: Arrested by security forces at his residence on May 12, 2022. He was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.
  • Jafar Ebrahimi: A dedicated teacher union activist, arrested on April 30, 2022, and incarcerated in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. In late October 2022, the Tehran Revolutionary Court issued a four-year sentence on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional one-year term for “propaganda against the regime.” Moreover, Ebrahimi received a two-year ban on leaving the country and from participating in political and civil organizations. His sentence, which included four years of enforceable imprisonment, was upheld upon appeal.
  • Lughman Aminpour, Sepehr Imam Jomeh, and Masoud-Reza Ebrahimi Nejad were previously sentenced to imprisonment for political charges.

Political Prisoners Kamyar Fakoor and Jafar Ebrahimi Face New Legal Case

In response to a complaint filed by the Prisons and Security and Corrective Measures Organization of Tehran Province, Kamyar Fakoor and Jafar Ebrahimi, political prisoners held in Qezel Hesar Prison, find themselves entangled in a new legal case.

Their legal representative, Erfan Karam Veisi, has officially conveyed that his clients are now facing charges of “disturbing public order and safety” and “insulting prison officials.”

Notably, Fakoor and Ebrahimi were recently transferred from Evin Prison to Qezel Hesar Prison, Karaj.

A while ago, Fakoor and Ebrahimi were transferred from Evin Prison to Qezel Hesar Prison, Karaj.

Fakoor’s arrest occurred on November 6, 2022, during nationwide protests. Subsequently, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced him to eight months in prison, in addition to reactivating his prior eight-month suspended jail term.

Ebrahimi, a dedicated teacher union activist, was taken into custody on April 30, 2022, and incarcerated in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. In late October 2022, the Tehran Revolutionary Court issued a four-year sentence on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional one-year term for “propaganda against the regime.” Moreover, Ebrahimi received a two-year ban on leaving the country and from participating in political and civil organizations. His sentence, which included four years of enforceable imprisonment, was upheld upon appeal.

 

 

A Statistical Analysis of the Iranian Workers’ Situation in the Last Year

As International Workers’ Day approaches, Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) shed light on the dire situation of Iranian workers over the past year. The HRA provides statistics on workers’ most pressing issues, including the denial of labor rights and unionization, low wages, wage arrears, and workplace safety issues.

Workplace Accidents

Iran ranks 102nd in the world in terms of occupational safety. According to the Statistics and Publication Center of HRA, in the past twelve months (from May 1, 2022, to April 27, 2023), at least 3576 workers have been killed or injured based on 2314 reports of work accidents made by either state media or workers’ rights organizations.

During this period, 3,066 workers were injured at work, with 2,333 cases mentioned in six official reports or comments made by officials at the national or provincial level. Civil and labor rights associations reported the remaining 733 cases.

At least 510 workers lost their lives in work-related accidents, with 250 deaths reported by eight official sources and the remaining 260 deaths reported by independent organizations. However, it is important to note that these statistics are likely an underestimation due to the lack of transparency of relevant institutions and their failure to disseminate information to the public.

Inconsistencies in official statements also suggest that official figures should be viewed with skepticism. For example, the Iranian Legal Medicine Organization stated that “during the last 10 years (2008-2018), 15,997 workers lost their lives in work accidents, of which 230 were women.” Considering these figures, the average number of work-related fatal casualties should be significantly higher than the officially-announced death toll of 250.

Falling from tall heights is the leading cause of death in work-related incidents, accounting for 41.5% of workplace deaths over the past ten years, according to official reports.

Occupational Accident Classification Chart

In the past year, based on data gathered by HRA’s Statistics and Publication Center, workplace accidents, illustrated by Figure 1, occurred in the following sectors: construction (20%), fires (19%), wells (9%), falling from tall heights (9%), being struck by hard objects (8%), factories (8%), motor vehicles (8%), electrocutions (6%), mines (6%), suffocation (5%), and petrochemical, oil, and gas refineries (2%).

Wage Arrears (Withheld wages) 

According to statistics compiled by HRA’s Statistics and Publication Center, at least 14,232 workers are owed wage arrears amounting to more than 712 combined monthly payments.

the distribution of wage arrears
As Figure 2 shows, public sector companies and organizations are responsible for 80% of these wage arrears. This figure is 14% for the private sector and 4% for the energy sector. The nature of the organizations responsible for 2% of these wage arrears remains unknown.
Unfortunately, many official reports fail to provide the number of workers awaiting wage arrears, which prevents the reporting of an accurate number.

Peaceful Assembly and Association

During the reporting period, a total of 1,616 reports on workers’ protest rallies and strikes were registered, indicating a decrease compared to previous years. This reduction can be partly attributed to the outbreak of nationwide protests sweeping across the country since September 17, 2022.

Media and civil society organizations have reported 225 workers’ protests and 772 trade union protests, which marks a 55% and 61% decrease, respectively, compared to the previous year.

Major labor events in the country over the past year include the workers’ protests of Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Company and Karun Agro-industry Company, farmers, teachers and educators, the pensioners from the Social Security Organization.

Over the past 12 months, numerous cities across the country witnessed a wide range of labour protests with various demands such as addressing insurance issues and wage arrears, the latter sometimes accumulating up to 30 months. In total, 113 labour strikes and 395 union strikes have been reported, showing a decrease of 70% and 50% respectively.

However, solidarity among workers to pursue their demands has been unprecedented. Suppression of any attempt toward unionization and forming independent labor organizations, the arrest and imprisonment of labor activists, and the denial of workers’ rights to protest are major reasons for making some workers’ protests sporadic and disorganized.

In Iran, there are no labor unions in the conventional sense. Workers’ efforts to form an independent workers union are suppressed by security and politically-tainted allegations against workers’ rights activists. This can be seen in the cases of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company, Haft Tappeh SugarCane Syndicate, the Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, and the Independent Iranian Workers Union (IIWU).

Many workers have been summoned, arrested or convicted for peaceful activities such as protests against low wages, signing a petition in support of labour unions, posting photos of workers’ demonstrations on the internet or even receiving an invitation letter to attend world trade union meetings.

At least 49 workers and workers’ rights activists have been arrested in the past 12 months. The top three cases are the arrest of 16 protesting workers at Sungun copper mine in Varzeghan, 12 striking workers of the Tehran bus workers’ syndicate, and 7 protesting workers of Karun Cement Factory.

Many workers have been summoned, arrested or convicted for peaceful activities such as protests against low wages, signing a petition in support of labor unions, posting photos of workers’ demonstrations on the internet or even receiving an invitation letter to attend world trade union meetings. The most well-known imprisoned workers’ rights activists include Reza Shahabi, Keyvan Mohtadi, Nasrin Javadi, Arash Johari, Yadi Bahari, Mehran Raoof along with the trade union activists Mohammad Habibi, Jafar Ebrahimi, Rasoul Bodaghi, Esmail Abdi, Latif Roozikhah, and Mohammad-Reza Ramezanzadeh.

Additionally, 42 workers and workers’ rights activists have been sentenced to a combined total of 162 months imprisonment, 129 months of suspended imprisonment, a combined total of 510 lashes and paying a total fine of 51 million Tomans. In the reporting period, 6 workers committed self-immolation and 24 workers committed suicide. 21 were summoned by security or judicial institutions. 1,838 workers were subjected to layoffs; 4,228 involuntarily lost their jobs; 1,203,709 workers remain deprived of any labour insurance scheme; 2,783 workers were suspended from work due to factory closure or other reasons for which the employer is liable.

Moreover, 162 trade union activists were arrested. 34 trade union activists were sentenced to a combined total of 863 months imprisonment. 65 individuals were summoned by security or judicial authorities and 1,435 businesses were closed by Public Security Police or other authorities.

During the past 12 months, continuing their protests in the year before, retired and working teachers and educators from dozens of cities across the country staged numerous protests, strikes, and rallies to ask for their demands. 151 of their protest gatherings and 20 labour strikes have been recorded. Following these protests, 148 teachers were arrested, 55 were summoned, 38 were convicted. 11 protesting teachers were subjected to violence by police and security forces. 34 teachers and teachers union activists were sentenced to a combined total of 863 months in prison and a combined total fine of 40 million Tomans.

The Economic Situation

Hasan Habibi, a board member of the Supreme Center of Islamic Labor Councils informed the public about a sweeping wave of worker complaints regarding insufficient annual salaries. Workers are requesting repeal and re-adjustment with inflation. Habibi stated, “The annual salary increase enacted under the pressure of the government representatives at the Supreme Labor Council meeting is at variance with labor code. Although officially announced inflation was at least 50%, wages were only raised by 27% this year.”

Habibi also added, “It remains to be seen whether the court of Administrative Justice will compromise with the employers or rule in favor of workers. In the case of workplace safety and the repeal of petition 179, the complaints have gone nowhere. We hope their course of action will change this time.”

Nasrollah Daryabeigi, the Executive Secretary of the Workers’ House, which is the de facto national trade union center in Iran, pointed out that employers do not pay worker’s insurance in a timely manner, and 90% of workers currently have partial employment contracts.

The Executive Secretary of the Zanjan Workers’ House also asserted that the labor code, particularly Article 41, has been violated in the determination of annual wage increases. “While the government itself has set the poverty line at a monthly income of 14 million Tomans, it recognizes the minimum wage as half of this line,” he argues.

Faramarz Tofighi, the head of the Wage Committee at the Supreme Center of Islamic Labor Councils, pointed out that the delay in starting the work of this committee negatively affects workers’ living conditions. “The subsistence crisis has come to a head, and any increase in wages below one hundred percent never catches up with the livelihood expenses. To have a normal life, workers should earn two to three times more.”

Bahram Hasani-Nejad, a workers’ rights activist and the former head of the Chadormalu Mining Workers’ Association, clarifies that assuming the minimum standards for livelihood and basic needs, a household needs to earn 17 to 18 million monthly.

As many experts and workers’ rights activists have pointed out, the minimum wage, as announced by the Supreme Labor Council, falls lower than the actual inflation rate and consumption expenditure of households. This explains the increase in workers’ protests and their disempowerment to raise their voices.


Prohibition of child labor and the provision of free education for children, the establishment of the highest level of safety standards in the workplace, and the elimination of discriminatory laws for women and migrant workers are other demands of the working community.

Despite being a part of the cheapest labor force in the country, women’s labor situation is worse than men, with fewer benefits, lower wages, and a lesser degree of legal protection. Even worse, women have less bargaining power in the workplace.

Employers in manufacturing industries are less willing to recruit married women, and in some cases, single women’s recruitment is conditioned on not getting married or pregnant. Female workers’ situation in small workshops is far worse. Women comprise half of the workers occupied at bricklaying, a laborious and onerous work.

The ongoing privatization of government-owned industrial sectors has further degraded work conditions, job security, and benefits, leading to an increase in workers’ protests and strikes.

As Iranian workers celebrate International Workers’ Day there is little prospect of improvement through domestic reform or remedy. Nonetheless, the State must uphold its international human rights obligations under both the ICCPR and the ICESCR, ensuring that workers and labor rights activists are free to peacefully assemble and associate without fear of reprisal.


For further inquiries please contact Skylar Thompson, Senior Advocacy Coordinator Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) at [email protected]

Teacher Union Activist Jafar Ebrahimi Sentenced to Five Years

On November 27, the Tehran Court of Appeals upheld a five-year sentence against teacher union activist Jafar Ebrahimi.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, teacher union activist Jafar Ebrahimi was sentenced to five years in prison.

In late October 2022, the Tehran Revolutionary court sentenced him to four years on the charge of “assembly and collusion” and one year on “propaganda against the regime.” He was also banned from leaving the country and from membership in political and civil groups for two years.

Based on article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, four years for the first charge will be enforceable to him.

Last week, Ebrahimi was hospitalized due to poor health conditions.

Ebrahimi is a teacher and Tehran Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association member. In February of this year, he was sentenced to four years and six months in another legal case.

 

 

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

Three Teacher Union Activists Sentenced to a Total of 15 Years in Prison

The Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Rasoul Bodaghi, Jafar Ebrahimi and Mohammad Habibi to a total of 15 years and one-month imprisonment as well as additional punishments.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, three teacher union activists Rasoul Bodaghi, Jafar Ebrahimi and Mohammad Habibi were sentenced to over 15 years in prison.

Attorney Ramin Safarnia wrote on social media, “Bodaghi was sentenced to four years and six months on the charge of ‘assembly and collusion’ and one year on the charge of ‘propaganda against the regime’. For Jafar Ebrahimi, the sentences for the exact charges are four years and one year, respectively. Mohammad Habibi received three years and seven months on the first charge and one year on the charge.”

Moreover, all three defendants were banned from leaving the country and membership in civil and political groups.

 

Teacher Union Activist Mohammad Habibi’s Detention Extended 

Mohammad Habibi’s detention was extended for a month on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, despite a previous pledge that he would be released on bail. On April 30, 2022, Habibi, who is the spokesperson of the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association was arrested and detained in Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, imprisoned teacher Mohammad Habibi’s detention was extended for one month.

According to an informed source, Habibi has been charged with “propaganda against the regime” and is currently held in one of the public cells of Ward 209 with 12 other inmates.” He was allowed to have one phone call once a week and family visitations two times. 

On April 30, 2022, one day before the nationwide teacher protests, security forces arrested  Habibi and three other members of the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association, Ali Akbar Baghani, Rasoul Bodaghi and Jafar Ebrahimi and transferred them to Ward 209 of Evin prison, which belongs to the Ministry of Intelligence and demonstrates that the Ministry is concerned about the teachers’ assembly in Iran.

Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association Member Jafar Ebrahimi Sentenced to Four Years and Six Months in Prison

Jafar Ebrahimi, a teacher and member of the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association, was sentenced by the Karaj Revolutionary Court to four years and six months in prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the court notified Ebrahimi about the sentence sentence on charges of “spreading lies” and “propaganda against the regime” and “acting against national security.” The trial was held in November of 2021.

Earlier on May 19, 2020, he was indicted by Culture and Media Court for publishing official statements for the Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations. He was finally released on bond pending further legal proceedings.

Approaching the anniversary of the Aban Protest, security forces arrested him while he was going to the cemetery to attend a memorial for those killed by the regime during the Aban Protests. On December 26, 2019, he stated during a phone call that he was sent to Rajai Shahr Prison. One month later, he was released on bail. At the time he was detained, he was banned from teaching by the Ministry of Education of Shahriar on the pretext of “unjustified absence”.

An Academic Year of Teacher Crackdowns

Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – Iranian authorities have tightened their grip on union activities in recent years, and teacher union activists are far from the exception. Indeed, if representatives of various industries have been met with blowback for organizing in defense of their colleagues’ collective rights, a retrospective of crackdowns in the education field gives reason to believe that authorities reserve particular vitriol for the nation’s educators.

So far this year, Iranian teachers and educator-activists have been arrested by security agents, brought to court under various allegations, issued lengthy prison sentences, flogged, and exiled. On this turning of Iran’s new academic year, HRANA looks back at the cases of several teachers who were persecuted by authorities this year.

Mohammad Habibi: Union Activist, Member of the Teachers’ Union Association Board of Directors in Tehran Province

On May 10, 2018, the Council for Coordination of Teaching Syndicates urged teachers, be they retired or employed, to assemble in protest across the country. In Tehran, several of those who responded to the call were beaten and arrested and five days later Habibi was transferred to Great Tehran Penitentiary; all but Habibi were released on bail.

Now, Habibi’s case—which recently inspired more than 1400 civil and union activists to write to Iran’s Supreme leader demanding that he receive medical treatment—will be reviewed in Branch 36 of the Tehran Appeals Court, presided by Judge Seyed Ahmad Zargar. Habibi’s attorney Hossein Taj told a correspondent from the state-run news agency IRNA on Monday, September 17th that a date for the hearing has yet to be set.

Cumulatively, his charges would carry a sentence of ten years: seven and a half years for “National-Security Related Crimes”, 18 months for “Propaganda against the Regime”, and another 18 months for “Disrupting Public Order.” In addition to prison terms, he was dealt a two-year ban from political and civic activities, a two-year travel ban, and 74 lashings.

Habibi suffers from chest pain and throat and lung infections secondary to assault wounds inflicted by authorities during his arrest, yet continues to be denied medical treatment. On the one occasion his medical leave was granted, according to HRANA reports, the receiving hospital dismissed him without treatment, sending him back to Evin Prison’s Ward 4 on Monday, September 3, 2018, where he has remained since.

Habibi’s case–particularly his compromised medical condition–recently drew the support of teacher organizations abroad. In a letter addressed to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the French trade unions SFDT, SGT, FSO, Solidaires, and UNSA held the Supreme Leader accountable for Habibi’s fate, and called his imprisonment a violation of both human rights and the fundamental freedoms of syndicates. In May 2018, General Secretary of Education International (EI) David Edwards vehemently denounced Habibi’s arrest and detention, demanding his immediate release in a letter to Iranian president Hassan Rouhani.

The Teachers’ Union Association of the Province of Tehran has publicly condemned the recent persecution of union advocates, also demanding that the necessary steps be taken for Habibi’s immediate release.

Habibi was arrested at his workplace on March 3, 2018 and jailed for 44 days in Evin Prison. On April 15, 2018, he was released on a bail of approximately $20000 USD (2.5 Billion Rials) pending his trial the following August.

A letter from Habibi’s HR office confirmed he is no longer receiving his salary.

Mahmoud Beheshti Langroodi: Former Spokesman of the Teachers’ Union Association

Mahmoud Beheshti Langroodi, former spokesman of the Teachers’ Union Association, has been persistently following up on his requests for conditional release, having already served half of the five-year sentence he began September 6, 2015 in Evin. Authorities have thus far been unresponsive.

According to his wife Adineh Beigi, Langroodi started his teaching career in 1983 and remained an hourly employee for the first seven years, suspended in the recruitment process due to his allegedly oppositional intellectual leanings. In the genesis of the Teachers’ Union Association in the early 2000s, he was one of the first to join its board of directors, and was elected general secretary for two terms. He has also served on the board as an inspector and spokesman.

Langroodi had been sentenced to a total of 14 years in prison for three separate cases tried in revolutionary courts, all presided by judges known as “Salavati and Moghiseh.” In April 8, 2017, with the application of article 134, which limits defendants of multiple charges to the single heaviest among their sentences, his 14-year prison sentence was reduced to five years. Now, having served two third of his prison term, his family awaits his release.

On July 2, 2018, Langroodi went on hunger strike to protest the continued mistreatment of political prisoners, and wrote an open letter imputing the eventual consequences of his hunger strike on those who had put him behind bars, particularly the judges and prosecutor’s office.

On July 16th of this year, the Teachers’ Union Association of Tehran Province issued a statement condemning the judiciary’s disregard of the law, and criticizing the assistant prosecutor in charge of Evin Prison for negligence. The letter validated the demands of Beheshti and his fellow imprisoned teachers, urging them to cease their hunger strike.

Moved by his comrades’ letter and concerned about his declining health, Beheshti ended his hunger strike after 14 days.

Langaroudi has been summoned, interrogated, arrested, and detained several times during the past few years for his peaceful trade union activities.

Esmaeil Abdi: General Secretary of the Teachers’ Union Association

Esmail Abdi, former secretary general of the Teachers’ Union Association, is serving a 6-year sentence in Evin Prison.

A former teacher of mathematics, Abdi was arrested by security forces June 27, 2015 and sentenced February 2016 by Judge Salavati in Branch 15 of Revolutionary Court on charges of “Propaganda against the Regime” and “Assembling and Colluding against National Security.”

On May 14, 2016, after serving 11 months, he was released on bail until his trial the following October, when Branch 36 of the Tehran Appeals Court upheld his six-year prison sentence. He has been in Ward 8 of Evin prison since being arrested in his home by security forces on November 9, 2016.

Under Article 134, Abdi’s sentence should be limited to the heaviest one of his multiple sentences, and thus should not exceed five years. It remains to be seen if the judiciary will uphold Article 134 in his case.

Over the course of Abdi’s imprisonment, several groups have spoken out against his treatment by the judicial system and pleaded for his release, including the Syndicate of United Bus Company Workers of Greater Tehran (known as ‘Sandicaye Sherkat Vahed’), the International Education Organization, the Iran Teachers’ Organization, a number of individual labor and union activists, the Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, the Kurdish Teachers’ Association, and the Canadian Teachers’ Federation.

In April 24, 2018, Esmail Abdi staged a 23-day hunger strike to protest the “widespread violation of teachers’ and workers’ rights in Iran.” Amnesty International was prompted by the urgency of his hunger strike to issue their own demand for Abdi’s release on April 28, 2018.

Abdi had previously gone on hunger strike one year earlier in protest of his trial proceedings, the judiciary’s lack of autonomy, and the continued unlawful repression of teachers and labors union activists. More than a month into the strike he was transferred to a hospital and began eating again on June 7th at the requests of his family and the Teacher’s Union Association.

Abdi was the 2018 recipient of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) Solidarity Award at its annual conference in Birmingham, England.

Mohammad Sani, a Teacher of Exceptional Schools in Southern Iran

Mohammad Sani, a teacher from Bushehr, southern Iran, was sentenced to two years in prison and 74 lashings for his union activities, which landed him a conviction of “spreading misinformation and disturbing public opinion” this past August. He is currently waiting for the Enforcement Department to deliver his summons and begin his prison time.

An informed source previously told HRANA that Sani’s charge is related to the widespread teacher protests in 2015, which prompted the County Governorate of Dashtestan, Bushehr province to open a case against the protestors. “When Mr. Sani responded to the county governor’s insults to the teachers at the sit in, they opened a case on him,” the source said.

In October 2015, Iranian teachers staged peaceful protests across the country, demanding the release of their imprisoned colleagues, the fulfillment of union requests, and public consideration for the threatened livelihoods of educators.

Ruhollah Mardani: Teacher and Tehran University Student

In Ward 4 of Evin Prison, Ruhollah Mardani is currently serving a sentence of six years, plus a two-year ban on typical citizen rights including travel.

Mardani was arrested and transferred to Evin Prison on February 17, 2018 for his participation in the widespread January protests one month earlier. His initial court hearing, which convened in June of this year, convicted him on charges of “Propaganda against the regime” and “Gathering and collusion aimed at disrupting national security.”

Mardani started a hunger strike April 24th 2017 to protest his detainment and stalled court proceedings while in prison. When authorities promised to accelerate their investigation of his case on May 21st, he began eating again after twenty seven consecutive days of strike.

An informed source previously told HRANA that the Education Security Office cut off his salary in the first month of his arrest, arguing that he could not be paid during his detention. “His job security is under threat right now,” the source said.

Mardani was working as a consultant teacher in region 4 of Karaj while studying at Tehran University.

Bakhtiar Arefi: Teacher in Sardasht, northwestern Iran

Bakhtiar Arefi began serving his 18-month prison sentence on Tuesday July 24, 2018 in Mahabad Prison. He was arrested January 25, 2015 for non-union reasons including “Membership in a Reformist Organization” and released on bail after one month.

Shortly thereafter in Revolutionary Court on February 25, 2017, Arefi was sentenced to three years in prison. His sentence was upheld in Branch 40 of Supreme Court, only to be later reduced to eighteen months in Branch 13 of Urmia Appeals Court on October 30, 2017, via application of Article 18 of Islamic Penal Code. If he serves his sentence as indicated, he will be released December 23, 2019.

Iranian teachers who have faced judicial persecution along with their unionist colleagues include Mokhtar Asadi, Taher Ghaderzadeh, Rasool Bodaghi, Aliakbar Baghani, Nabiollah Bastan Farsani, Abdolreza Ghanbari, Mahmud Bagheri, Mohammad Davari, Alireza Hashemi, Jafar Ebrahimi, Hashem Khastar, Mohsen Omrani.