As stated in our December 15th update, Mahmoud Beheshti Langroodi was released in the afternoon of December 15, 2015, after the judicial authorities of the Evin prison agreed to temporarily release him in order for him to pursue his appeal process. Mr. Beheshti Langroodi had gone on hunger strike demanding that the government authorities take actions to vacate his prison sentence until a judicial review by a competent court with a jury is conducted publically. The conditions of his temporary release are not yet fully known as he is expected to receive a renewal of his temporary leave soon; however, a primary condition was for him to stop his hunger strike. He was on hunger strike since November 26, 2015.
Attached is a picture of Mr. Beheshti at home following his release.
In recent weeks, thousands of teachers in Iran had signed letter and petitions for Mr. Beheshti Langroodi’s freedom, and his family members were very proactive in highlighting his conditions. Education International has also been campaigning for his freedom in addition to campaigns for Mr. Esmail Abdi, General Secretary of the ITTA-Tehran, and Rasoul Bodaghi, Ali Akbar Baghani, Alireza Hashemi and Abolreza Ghanbari who continue to be in prison.
Teachers vow to continue with campaigns for freedom of all their colleagues. International solidarity is definitely very crucial in this process and has proven to be effective.
In Solidarity,
International Alliance in support of workers in Iran (IASWI)
December 16, 2015