Iran- Updates on Arrested Workers

May 23, 2007- According to the Committee In Defense of Mahmoud Salehi, which is formed in Iran, the prosecutor’s office of the City of Saqez had agreed to allow Mahmoud Salehi a temporary leave on May 22, 2007; however, the prosecutor’s office of Sanandaj and the Chief of the Sanandaj’s Prison have not granted the leave and the request for the leave was postponed until the Prison’s Council would make a decision in a month. Salehi’s health is a major concern at present, as he has only one kidney, and that kidney is functioning at only 10 percent of capacity. His family, lawyer and supporters have been pushing to get a temporarily release for him so Salehi can receive more treatment outside the prison.

Two other detainees, Sheys Amani and Sedigh Karimi continue to be in Custody in Sanandaj, and the authorities have told their families and colleagues that they would keep these two labour activists for two months without the right to bail or the right to counsel. Please see the Amnesty International’s Urgent Action and the letter of the Unemployed workers union to the ITUC.