Walter Sanchez, the Secretary-General of the International Industrial Workers’ Union, and five French labor syndicates called for the immediate release of Mahmoud Salehi and Reza Shahabi, two labor activists imprisoned in Iran.
Mr. Sanchez expressed concerns over the arrest and torture and illegal behavior by Iranian regime towards workers and trade union leaders due to union and guild activities, saying the health and well-being of the two prisoners are in grave danger. According to reports, the political prisoner, Mahmoud Salehi, suffers from heart disease and diabetes. The physician treating Mahmoud Salehi recommended that he be transferred to a well-equipped hospital in Tehran, Tabriz, or Orumiyeh due to the weakness of his heart, but the regime’s judiciary refused and returned him to Saghez prison on November 20.
The Secretary-General of the International Industrial Workers’ Union also noted in his letter the health condition of political prisoner, Reza Shahabi, and wrote he has serious physical problems caused by years of torture during interrogations.
In addition, five French labor union syndicates in a letter warned the Iranian regime about the health condition of these two prisoners and said that Mahmoud Salehi was at risk of death and noted that doctors in prison had said Salehi should be treated permanently in a hospital outside the prison and should not be returned to the prison.
The French labor syndicates emphasized the need to abolish the unfair convictions and the immediate and unconditional release of all activists imprisoned for union activities and the defense of the rights of wage earners.
The letter also referred to political prisoners Reza Shahabi and Ismael Abdi, member of the board of directors of the Teachers’ Association.
Source » ncr-iran