All political prisoners must be freed
On 26 October 2019 a few of the political prisoners were released from Even prison in Tehran, Iran. They included workers and activists of Haft-Tapeh factory and May Day protests. Sepideh Gholyan, Sanaz Alah Yari, Amir Hossein Mohammad Far, Amir Amir-Gholi, Marziyeh Amiri, and Atefeh Rangriz were released on bail awaiting “new trial”. Esmaeil Bakhshi and Asal Mohammadi are still in-captivity apparently due to administration delays.
They were jailed by the Islamic regime in an attempt to silence protests and out of fear of escalation of strikes and protests. This has always been the way Islamic regime operates. However the recent protests against the regime has forced the regime to keep face by displaying a so called a game of “good cop, bad cop” or “the judge is reviewing the case”. Workers and activists have become more militant and active. Workers in Hepco were suppressed but those in Azar Abi repeated their chants that “intimidation and imprisonment do not deter us”. Workers in Haf-Tapeh plant did not surrender. They continued their month long strike and are still demanding the release of Esmaeil Bakhshi and all other prisoners.
The release of the workers is testament to the hard struggle of the workers in Iran. It has given them confidence.
Fellow activists, we salute you and express our joy for you and your loved ones. You were not thieves, you were not embezzlers, you did not rub people of their money, you did not crush hungry workers or revolutionary students! You defended your rights and those of the society. You were imprisoned for defending humanity and freedom. Your victory is the result of your united struggle in defeating the regime.
All prisoners must be freed immediately and unconditionally.
