Reza Shahabi, a leading member of Bus Workers' Syndicate

still incarcerated and in limbo

 

Reza Shahabi Treasurer and board member of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company who was arrested on June 12th of this year is still incarcerated, and his release still undetermined. Although a bond of 60 million Tomans has been posted for him by his family, he has not been freed yet.

 

Mrs. Robabeh Rezaie, the spouse of Mr. Shahabi, in conversation with “Mardomak” while emphasizing his undetermined status mentioned that the charge against him is “contacts with foreigners.” Mr. Shahabi's interrogator has told Mrs. Rezaie that he has not cooperated with his interrogator and the judicial system and until and unless he does so he won’t be released. According to her, attorneys in the case after four months of incarceration, still have no access to any files on their client, and have no knowledge of any details in the charges.

 

Back on October 10 of 2010, “revolutionary court” had determined that by posting a 60 million Tomans bond this labour activist would be freed. Mrs. Rezaie says that the amount was prepared and given to authorities. They had promised he would be released on 12^th of October. While the family waited for his release until 1:30 AM in front of the Evin Prison, they were told that he will not be released. There were rumors of increased bond, but we haven’t officially been notified.

 

Reza Shahabi a Law major and a graduate of “Payam Nor” university, was supporting the expelled workers from the Bus Company by providing them with legal counsel. This labour activist himself was suspended from Bus Company back in 2005 due to his labour activism. He continued his education, obtaining his high school diploma and then embarking on his legal studies.

 

According to Mrs. Rezaie during the five years that Mr. Shahabi was suspended from working at Bus Company family’s income and his studies were supported by temporary jobs, mechanical and other wise, and financially the family had experienced very difficult times.

 

The 37 years old Treasurer of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran Bus Company has an 11 year old daughter, and a 12 years old son. Mrs. Rezaie says that during all these years she was very aware of his capacity as a social activist, and that he taking on “a very hard and dangerous task and responsibility.” Yet she emphasizes that since he was not engaged in any illegal or improper activity, and was only defending workers’ rights, she never prevented him from his activities, and even now fully confident she declares that he has not committed any crime to be incarcerated for.

 

Mrs. Rezaie demands from law enforcement authorities to expedite this labour activist’s case, because “enduring this indetermination is very arduous.”

 

Reza Shahabi was arrested at Bus Co. building on June 12 2010. Before taking him to Evin Prison security agents took him to his house and after searching his house, confiscated his computer.

Source: http://www.mardomak.org/news/Uncertainty_Reza_Shahaabi_Labor_activist

Translated by IASWI

 

Reza Shahabi still in jail despite posting bail

 

According to the latest news from Iran, Reza Shahabi, Treasurer and board member of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company, who has been incarcerated since June 12, 2010, was scheduled to be released on bail on October 11, 2010; however, the authorities refused to release him despite the order for his conditional release by a judge.

 

On October 11, 2010, tens of family members and friends of Reza Shahabi gathered outside the Evin Prison to welcome Shahabi after his family had deposited 60 million Toman (about 57,000 US Dollar) as surety. After staying outside prison until after midnight, in spite of cold weather and rain, prison authorities refused to free Shahabi.

 

Reza Shahabi continues to be detained in Evin Prison. According to unconfirmed reports, the bail amount for Shahabi has been increased to 100,000,000 toman. There are reports that Reza Shahabi has been under pressures and interrogation to “collaborate” with prison authorities; this is despite the fact that he has already spent more than four months in prison without any justifiable reasons.  

There is no justification whatsoever to keep Shahabi in prison. Reza Shahabi is a well-known and highly respected worker and labour leader in Iran and his imprisonment is a gross violation of human rights and international labour standards.

 

Free Reza Shahabi Now!

Free Mansour Osanloo and Ebrahim Madadi!

Free all jailed labour activists now!

 

Report by: International Alliance in Support of Workers in Iran

[email protected]

www.workers-iran.org

 

Sample Protest Letter (Updated October 23, 2010):

Free Tehran bus workers' leaders now

Free all jailed workers now 

 

I (we) am (are) writing this to demand an immediate and unconditional freedom of all imprisoned representatives and members of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company and the Coordinating Committee to Help Form Workers' Organizations and other independent labour activists in Iran.

 As of this time, three leaders and elected representatives of Vahed Syndicate are in prison:. Mansour Osanloo, Syndicate's president of the board of director (serving five year jail sentence since 2007, Ebrahim Madadi, Vice-President (serving 3.5 year jail sentence since late 2007); and Reza Shahabi, Treasurer (arrested on June 12, 2010). Reza Shahabi, board member and treasurer of the bus workers' syndicate has been charged with "contacts with foreigners" and  despite the posting of 60 million toman bail has not been released. His wife has been told by his interrogator that because he is not cooperating with them they would not release him.

Moreover, many members of the Coordinating Committee to Help Form Workers' Organizations in different cities have been targeted and persecuted by authorities and are facing charges and jail sentences.  Also Mr. Behnam Ebrahimzadeh, a member of The Committee to Pursue the Establishment of Free Workers’ Organizations, is spending his fourth month in jail.

 

I (we) demand immediate and unconditional freedom of Osanloo, Madadi and Shahabi, Ebrahimzadeh and other labour activists. I (we) condemn the continuous gross attacks on human and workers’ rights in Iran. I (we) demand the immediate and unconditional freedom of all labour activists and political prisoners and call on the government to respect the right to organize, assemble and freedom of association and expression.  

Name:

Organization:

Position:

Send Copy of your Protest Letters to:

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