Two prominent workers’ rights defenders, Mahmoud Salehi and Osman Ismaili, were arrested on 16 May 2021 after being summoned to the prosecutor’s office in Saqquez. The two were charged with endangering national security after publishing photos and videos related to International Labour Day, 1 May. They had recently been convicted under Article 500 of the Islamic Penal Code of “spreading propaganda against the system”. Since they had refused bail on principle, they were being held in prison.
Mahmoud Salehi was in poor health and in need of regular medical attention, having lost both kidneys as a result of his past mistreatment in prison. For many years, as founder of arrested and repeatedly imprisoned for defending the fundamental rights of workers to freedom of association.
On 27 May, the Revolutionary Court of Iran sentenced Mahmoud Salehi to three months in prison and Osman Ismaili to six months in prison. The court further ruled that the sentence could be converted into cash penalties and that they should pay 20 million rials (about US$80) and 40 million rials, respectively.
The two men were released from Saqez Prison after 25 days, following payment of their fines.
