Jafar Azimzadeh

He is the Director of the board of the "Free Union of Iranian Workers". He has been arrested multiple times. One of his charges resulted in a six year prison sentence

• <coverage-outsourcing id='14041'> Jafar Azimzadeh, Saeed Youzi, Behnam Abrahimzadeh, Shapour Ehsani Rad, and several other workers activists were arrested for their efforts to celebrate international workers day. Other than the group that was freed in the previous days, the others were, mostly, taken to ward 209 of Evin and from the over time they were transferred to other wards of this prison. Different reports of assault and battery of the prisoners and confining them to long periods of incarceration in solitary cells have been published </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='3774'> He was arrested by security forces in Tehran and released on bail from Evin Prison after 46 days </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='3928'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2015/hranews/a-212/'> He was tried in Tehran Revolutionary Court and sentenced to six years in prison on the charge of "Assembling and collaboration to act against the country" and one year in prison on the charge of "Disturbing public order" and a two-year ban on membership in political parties or online activities. By applying Article 134, five years of his sentence will be applicable. According to HRANA, Judge Salavati wrote in Jafar Azimzadeh's lawsuit: > He was born with Marxist ideologies. Judge Salavati mentioned Forming a free trade union, cooperating with the committee of free trade unions, participating or leading labor rallies in 2009 (Laleh Park), gathering in front of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, and planning the workers' strike in 2013. The court also added Coordinating the petition of 40,000 people about the insufficient salary approved by the government, Complaint against Saeed Mortazavi regarding corruption in social security, Meeting with members of other trade unions, and Interview with foreign media as the charge examples of him </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='3926'> The defendant was arrested and transferred to prison while he helped the family of Shapour Hosseini, a fellow member of the board of the "Free Union of Iranian Workers" </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='3927'> He was released from prison on bail of 200 million tomans </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='8027'> The Saveh city prosecutor told ISNA that those arrested for the labor movements in Saveh were not actually workers. Jafar Azimzade and Shapour Ehsani Rad wrote a response to this claim which ISNA did not publish. In this response, aside from explaining the legitimacy of the protests and them, in fact, being workers, it was mentioned that: > Jafar Azimzadeh was arrested at the investigation office of the first judiciary branch in Saveh while aaccompanying Shapour Ehsani Rad's wife, and there is no evidence testifying to his participation in the protest gatherings of Safa's Navar and Louleh Company workers or any of their protest efforts </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='3929'> He turned himself in to the Evin Prison Judiciary to serve his six year sentence </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='5835'> Jafar Azimzade and Esmail Abdi began a hunger strike in protest of the consistent pressure exerted onto laborers and labor rights activists and in order to remove the "Assembly and collusion in an effort to disrupt national security" charge from the cases of laborers and educators </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='6113'> The Prosecutor's Representative issued a visitation order for him and his wife. A note from the Representative to the defendant stated that his long-term furlough request would be granted if he ended his hunger strike. According to HRANA the defendant responded by saying: > I did not begin a hunger strike for furlough </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='6114'> The defendant received a summons from Saveh Court regarding a new case while he was incarcerated in Evin Prison. He penned a letter to the court requesting that he be allowed to attend his court session in order to defend himself from the charges against him, but the Saveh Court did not accept his letter </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='6115'> A number of French labor unions addressed a letter to the defendant in which they requested he end his hunger strike. "Maintaining your physical health is a necessity in order to continue your struggle" </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='6145'> He was transferred to hospital during his hunger strike. HRANA reported that due to his refusal to accept an IV serum, he was returned to the prison a few hours after his arrival </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='6293'> According to HRANA, he was returned from the hospital 20 minutes after he arrived, without receiving any medical treatment. This report states that the defendant's kidneys have stopped working due to his month-long hunger strike </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='6608'> Ali Moezzi and Ali Amirgholi published a statement announcing that they would begin a hunger strike in "solidarity and support" of Jafar Azimzade for two days starting from June 5 </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='6838'> It was reported that his hunger strike continues </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='6958'> According to "Iran's Independent Workers Union" he wrote an open letter addressed to Minister of Jobs, "Hassan Hefdah Tan," stating that the Rouhani administration has a "security and political" approach in dealing with objecting workers and syndicate activists. He said the Rouhani administration shares responsibility in the political treatment of workers </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='6959'> According to Harana, a group of prominent figures in academia, media, and society signed an open letter voicing their concern regarding Jafar Azimzade's conditions and demanded an end to the crackdown on workers and union activists. Noam Chomsky is among the prominant signatories of this letter </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='6960'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2016/hranews/a-6360/'> According to Harana, the attorney general of Tehran, Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi, agreed to meet with the wife of Jafar Azimzade, the incarcerated labor activist on the 58th day of his hunger strike, but in the meeting he told her that he will not do anything for her husband, even if he dies. This meeting was later denied by Mr. Dolatabadi, and Azimzade's wife also announced that "I have not met with Mr. Jafari Dolat Abadi personally, but Mr. Hajiloo, the representative of the attorney general told us that even if Mr. Azimzadeh is going to die we will not do anything for him" </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='7051'> Rasoul Bخdaghi, Beheshti Langeroudi, and Esmaeel Abdi, along with 182 political and human rights activists announced that they will go on a two-day hunger strike from June 30th to July 2nd in support of Azimzade </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='6966'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2016/hranews/a-6418/'> A group of civil activists organized a gathering in his support in front of the office of the president. After the gathering, they provided a petition for the authorities and went to the hospital where Mr.Azimzadeh was being treated, but due to the guards' refusal and his wife' request, they were not able to visit him </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='6965'> Mohammad Ali Jedari Foroughi, the defense attorney for Jafar Azimzade, told ILNA that he has submitted his client's request for temporary leave to the judge, and the reviewing process for the 450 million toman bail has been completed </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='6963'> His doctor announced that continuation of the hunger strike puts him at risk of coma and death </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='7034'> He was released on an extendable temporary leave on the 63rd day of his hunger strike </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='7072'> He received a summon to the branch 4 investigation office from the Saveh courthouse </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='7131'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2016/hranews/a-7048/'> He was charged with assembly and conspiracy against national security, causing public fear, propaganda against the Islamic Republic regime, and public disturbance in branch 4 investigation office of Saveh courthouse </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='7577'> According to ILNA, he visited Saveh courthouse with his attorney and submitted his final defense. After almost two weeks, his case was referred to branch 101 of the criminal court of the city of Saveh </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='8026'> "Free Union of Iranian Workers" reported that Jafar Azimzade and Shapour Ehsani Rad were summoned to branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Saveh on the charges of "Assembly and Conspiracy against national security, and propaganda against the regime," and were summoned to branch 101 of the criminal court of Saveh on the charges of "creating public fear, disturbing the public order, forging titles and jobs about offering legal consultation to workers." According to the report, their plaintiff in both cases was the employer at Safa Navard Va Loouleh Company </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='8630'> The trial session of Jafar Azimzade and Shapour Ehsani Rad was held in branch 101 of Saveh criminal court 2. Their attorney told ILNA that: > charges such as disturbing the public order and creating public fear were brought up for this case, and their other charges will be addressed on September 4th in the first branch of the Revolutionary Court of Saveh </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='8881'> His attorney told IRNA that the court session was postponed, and "due to some inconsistencies and insufficiencies in the case, the presiding judge referred the case to branch 4 investigation office for completion" </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='9590'> In an interview with ILNA, the case attorney stated: > The trial session for his clients was held in the first branch of the Revolutionary Court of Saveh, and his clients defended themselves in a desirable atmosphere. A few days ago he had told the same news agency that the supreme court has denied their appeal request </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='9730'> "Front Line Defenders" organization published a statement mentioning cases of Atena Daemi, Amir Amir Gholi, Saeed Shirzad, Jafar Azimzadeh, Shapour Ehsani, and Narges Mohammadi, and asked for the release and ending the persecution of human rights activists </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='9812'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2016/hranews/a-7620/'> Mohammad Ali Jedari Foroughi, the defense attorney for Jafar Azimzade and Shapour Ehsani Rad, told ILNA that the Revolutionary Court of Saveh has sentenced both of his clients to 10 years in prison for founding the Free Union of Iranian Workers and one year in prison for propaganda against the regime, in accordance with article 498 of the criminal code of Islamic Law. He said that they will request an appeal </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='9750'> According to Free Union of Iranian Workers, the office of the Evin prison's supervising judge contacted Jafar Azimzade and summoned him to prison and told him that if he does not return to prison by tomorrow morning, his absence will be reported to attorney general office of Tehran </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='10987'> The verdict enforcement office sent a notice to Jafar Azimzadeh's bail bondsman to surrender him to prison in a month </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='12462'> According to the Free Union of Iranian Workers’ website, intelligence agents went to his home,with a warrant for arrest from judge Hajiloo, but they did not find him, according to this report, one of the agents told Mr. Azimzadeh’s child, “we will see to it that your father’s prison term shall never end” </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='15273'> Mohammad Ali Jedari, his attorney, told ILNA that the last hearing was held for Jafar Azimzadeh and Shapour Ehsani, took place on March 11, 2017, at branch 101 of the Criminal Court 2 of Saveh, on charges such as, “stirring public opinion” and “disturbing the order of the state”. The witnesses testified in favor of the defendants and the lawyer of the company, also, announced that he never had any complaints against Mr. Azimzadeh. He said, “according to the principles of the judiciary, without exception, a verdict has to be issued, but two months have passed and there is yet to be one issued for the defendants.” </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='15702'> Mohammad Ali Jedari Foroughi, told ILNA, that branch 8 of the appeals court of the Markazi province, has cleared Jafar Azimzadeh and Shapour Ehsani Rad of the charges of “propagating against the state” and “acting against national interest”. In the court proceedings it is stated that “since the referred to activities were legal and within the law, the totality of the done deeds do not constitute propagating against the state with the intention to threaten or damage to national security”. Mr. Jedari Foroughi gave news of their decision to submit a request for appeal of the six years imprisonment sentence given to Jafar Azimzadeh in another case </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='18610'> The Free Union of Iranian Workers (IIWU) published a statement condemned the verdict of lashing given to Shahpour Ehsanirad. According to this statement Mr. Ehsanirad was sentenced, by branch 101 of the criminal court 2 of the judiciary of the province of Saveh, on the charge of “disturbing the public order”, to six months prison which was turned into nine million toman cash fine and 30 lashes of the whip. The court acquitted Jafar Azimzadeh of the said charges </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='18611'> According to the Free Union of Iranian Workers (IIWU), 112 labor activists and teachers wrote a letter condemning the flogging sentence of Shapour Ehsani Rad and the imposing hunger strike on Reza Shahabi </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='23832'> Jafar Azimzadeh and Parvin Mohammadi, director, and vice-chairman of the Free Trade Union of Iran, were arrested in the crackdown on labor activists. Later, Mr. Azimzadeh was sent to Ward 8 of Evin Prison to continue his previous imprisonment sentence, and Ms. Mohammadi was sent to Kachuei Prison in Karaj for investigation </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='32396'> <reference source='https://www.radiozamaneh.com/431300'> Amnesty issues statement calling for Jafar Azimzadeh unconditional release </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='32397'> <reference source='https://t.me/ettehad/66202'> In an audio file, Mr. Azimzadeh supported the Iranian teachers' union protests and expressed his solidarity with the protesters. Mr. Azimzadeh also blamed the Iranian government for teachers' and workers' critical living conditions </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='24152'> His lawyer told ILNA that Jafar Azimazadeh was sentenced to 30 lashes </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='24301'> <reference source='https://t.me/ettehad/69181'> His lawyer, Mohammad Ali Jadari Forooghi, told ILNA that Branch 14 of the Tehran Appeals Court has repealed the 30 blows of the lash’ sentence. Previously, the Branch 1190 of the Penal Court No. 2 of Tehran had sentenced Mr Azimzadeh to 30 blows of the lash and 7 million rials of financial penalty due to “abstention from furlough” </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='30425'> <reference source='https://t.me/ettehad/74380'> Jafar Azimzadeh condemned the conviction of several labor activists in an audio file </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='28142'> <reference source='https://t.me/ettehad/77004'> According to the Free Union of Workers, more pressure is being put on Jafar Azimzadeh. In late December, Mr Azimzadeh got a letter from the prosecutors on the subject of “not getting leave before the end of the prison term.” A day later, security officers went through all his belongings with the excuse of looking at his phone. After the end of the interrogation, the authorities said their goal was to go through his notes </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='30039'> <reference source='https://t.me/IranintlTV/51625'> "Another case has been filed against Mr. Azimzade simultaneously with the refusal of the prosecutor's office for granting leave to him; we have found out about the new file through a text message from the judiciary.", Mr. Azimzadeh's wife told Iran International Tv. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='30304'> <reference source='https://www.radiozamaneh.com/500280'> "We don't know the reason of not sending him on leave or not granting him early release on Nowruz; in response to my follow-up, the authorities were pointed to the prosecutor's rejection without any explanation.", Akram Azimzadeh, Jafar Azimzadeh's wife, told RadioZamaneh. Mrs. Azimzadeh believes that a new case has been brought up simply to prevent his release. According to this report, A prisoner in Ward 8 of Evin Prison has been infected with the Coronavirus. Jafar Azimzadeh along with many political prisoners are being held in this ward, and the prison officials have only provided sanitary facilities to prisoners for one time </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='30493'> <reference source='https://ipa.united4iran.org/media/file_evidence/statement_lrd_iran_farsi_1.pdf'> The Front Line Defenders organization issued a statement condemning the crackdown and the continued detention of several union activists and requested for the unconditional release of them. The names mentioned in this statement: > Jafar Azimzadeh, Parvin Mohammadi, Nahid Khodajoo, Shapor Ehsanirad, Mohammad Habibi and Esmaeil Abdi. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='30424'> <reference source='https://t.me/ettehad/80342'> According to IIWU (Iranian Independent workers Union), the trial of Jafar Azimzadeh's case was held at Branch 2 of the Evin Prosecutor's Office. Mr. Azimzadeh had previously stated that he would not attend a "rigged trial" but eventually taken to the Evin Prosecutor's Office for interrogation. The case has been filed based on his activities inside the prison. Mr. Azimzadeh was questioned about his protest against the sentences issued to labor activists, as well as his protest against not paying the cost of medical treatment for prisoners by the Prisons Organization in the Second Branch of the investigation.Mr. Azimzadeh defended the rights of workers in court and he was eventually charged with "propaganda against the system." </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='30964'> <reference source='https://t.me/ettehad/81218'> Branch 26 of Tehran Revolutionary Court, headed by Judge Afshari, sentenced Jafar Azimzadeh to 13 months in prison on the charge of "propaganda against the system." Mr. Azimzadeh's protest against cutting off the prisoners' insurance and also protesting against the sentences issued to labor activists are the reasons for this accusation. He stated that he did not recognize the court and therefore did not object to the verdict </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='31951'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2020/hranews/a-26044/'> Four political and conscious prisoners named Jafar Azimzadeh, Behnam Mahjoubi, Amir Hossein Mirkhalili, and Behnam Moosivand, were physically attacked by public crimes prisoners in August. Jafar Azimzadeh was transferred to Ward 4 after the incident. The political prisoners protest in Ward 8 and demanded the implementation of the separation law based on accusations for prisoners </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='31956'> <reference source='https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/fa/case/jafar-azimzadeh-sentenced-imprisoned'> Front Line Defenders has issued a statement calling for an investigation into the causes of the prisoners' attack on Jafar Azimzadeh. The statement stressed that prisoners' rights must be respected under their human rights obligations and that Iran must ensure his release </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='31788'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2020/hranews/a-25981/'> The Tehran Court of Appeals upheld his 13-month prison sentence </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='31961'> <reference source='https://prisonatlas.com/%D8%A8%DB%8C%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%B1-%D8%B2%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%AF-%D9%87%D8%B4%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%88%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%87-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%D8%A7-%D9%85%D8%A8/'> According to IPA, most detainees' coronavirus test in ward 8, which was taken randomly, was reported positive. Some prisoners, including Amirsalar Davoodi, Jafar Azimzadeh, and Esmail Abdi, were transferred to ward four due to the lack of beds in ward 8. Behnam Sheikhi, an ethnic Turkish activist, reported suspicious coronavirus symptoms in a phone call with his family. Still, he has not received a coronavirus test due to a lack of facilities. Jafar Azimzadeh's wife also announced on her Instagram account that Mr. Azimzadeh's had caught Coronavirus </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='33251'> <reference source='https://united4iran.org/en/15prisoners'> United for Iran published the fact patterns and legal analyses of Jafar Azimzadeh's case, taking into consideration human rights and fair trial violations based on international treaties to which the IRI is a signatory. The Covenant of Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) has been used as the lead document for this context. United for Iran has published similar fact patterns for 14 other political prisoners, including prisoners of conscience, and has called on UN institutions to use these resources to file cases and follow up on their situations </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='32130'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2020/hranews/a-26245/'> The officers took Mr. Azimzadeh to Gohardasht Prison while he was about to be transferred to the hospital. He went on a hunger strike after entering Rajai Shahr prison </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='32246'> Free Trade Union publishes daily notes expressing concern over Jafar Azimzadeh's condition </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='32399'> <reference source='https://bit.ly/3brTvAm'> More than 500 Iranian trade union and civil activists issued a statement calling for medical services and the unconditional release of Jafar Azimzadeh </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='32398'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2020/hranews/a-26457/'> Jafar Azimzadeh is still on a hunger strike. He also recently stopped eating sugar and drank only water. A source familiar with Jafar Azimzadeh's condition told HRANA: "Mr. Azimzadeh's situation is such that he vomits while drinking water. He stated his reasons for going on a hunger strike as follows: > being transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison under the pretext of being transferred to a hospital, lack of hygiene in prisons despite the Coronavirus, phycological torture of his family, and spreading fake news about the situation in Evin Prison at 8:30 news program. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='32409'> <reference source='https://t.me/ettehad/83682'> He ended his hunger strike after being transferred to a political ward of Rajai Shahr prison </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>