This week saw the release of 5 of the 28 workers who were arrested at the Khatoon Abad Copper Mines for protesting in late January. The workers needed to post a high bail amount even though no charges have been laid against them. An international solidarity campaign is underway and can be accessed here. In a separate but related development, news has come out of Iranian paramilitary militia staging exercises to practice crushing workers’ protests. This is a worrying development that demonstrates the Iranian government’s fear of a powerful working class movement.
