For immediate release:
Vahed Syndicate’s Davoud Razavi sentenced to five years in prison
Vahed Syndicate’s Vice-President, Ebrahim Madadi, will go on trial on February 22, 2016
February 17, 2016 – Davoud Razavi, a member of the board of directors of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company (Vahed Syndicate), today 17 February 2016, was sentenced to five years in prison by the Revolutionary Court Branch 26 in Tehran. Razavi was tried at the above Branch on January 13, 2016. His charges included “gathering and colluding with intent to act against national security” and “Disrupting public order and peace by participating in illegal gatherings”.
In addition, Mr. Ebrahim Madadi, Vice-President of the board of director of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company, will be put on trial with exactly the same charges on February 22, 2016.
Both of these labour activists and leading members of Vahed Syndicate have been persecuted and arrested numerous times since the re-establishment of Vahed Syndicate in 2005. Other members of Vahed Syndicate have been facing persecution, threats and new charges in recent months as well.
Vahed Syndicate condemns the sentence of 5 years in prison for Mr. Davoud Razavi, as well as threats, pressures and sentences against trade unionists and activists of independent labour organizations and calls for an end to theatmosphere of security against workers and labour activists. We demand the release of all imprisoned workers and labour activists.
More details to follow soon on the next steps including legal options and appeals.
Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company
Bahman 28, 1394 (February 17, 2016)
Vahed Syndicate’s Vice-President, Ebrahim Madadi, will go on trial on February 22, 2016
February 17, 2016 – Davoud Razavi, a member of the board of directors of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company (Vahed Syndicate), today 17 February 2016, was sentenced to five years in prison by the Revolutionary Court Branch 26 in Tehran. Razavi was tried at the above Branch on January 13, 2016. His charges included “gathering and colluding with intent to act against national security” and “Disrupting public order and peace by participating in illegal gatherings”.
In addition, Mr. Ebrahim Madadi, Vice-President of the board of director of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company, will be put on trial with exactly the same charges on February 22, 2016.
Both of these labour activists and leading members of Vahed Syndicate have been persecuted and arrested numerous times since the re-establishment of Vahed Syndicate in 2005. Other members of Vahed Syndicate have been facing persecution, threats and new charges in recent months as well.
Vahed Syndicate condemns the sentence of 5 years in prison for Mr. Davoud Razavi, as well as threats, pressures and sentences against trade unionists and activists of independent labour organizations and calls for an end to theatmosphere of security against workers and labour activists. We demand the release of all imprisoned workers and labour activists.
More details to follow soon on the next steps including legal options and appeals.
Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company
Bahman 28, 1394 (February 17, 2016)