July 5, 2010

The Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs (Vahed) Bus Drivers vehemently condemns extended arrest and increasedpressure on Mr. Saeed Torabian and Reza Shahabi

Today, 14th of Tir, 1389, marks the 27th day of the arrest of Saeed Torabian and the 24th day of the arrest of Reza Shahabi.  Throughout this time, Reza Shahabi has contacted his family by telephone only once.  On the afternoon of the arrest of Saeed Torabian, security agents descended upon his mother’s home and thoroughly inspected it.  Mr. Torabian suffers from heart disease and was hospitalized last year due to a  heart attack.  He has not been heard from since his arrest, and noone has any knowledge of his fate or whereabouts.

In the meantime, on 9 of Tir, 1389 (Wed. 30 June 2010), Mr. Mansour Osanloo was charged with new crimes and transferred to Branch 6 of the Karaj Judiciary. In addition, an individual representing himself as a security agent has been telephoning Mr. Reza Shahabi’s wife and stating that she needs to report to a
particular branch of the Security agency in order to answer questions that could potentially enable agents to release Mr. Shahabi.  Another member of the Vahed Syndicate has also been contacted and summoned in a similar manner.

The Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs (Vahed) Bus Drivers expresses grave concern for the physical condition of Mr. Torabian, and warns against efforts to pad his record and Mr. Torabian’s record with new false charges.  In addition, the Syndicate also warns against the opening of a new case or filing new charges against Mansour Osanloo, and vehemently condemns any extension of prison terms and increased pressure upon the members of the Syndicate’s Board of Directors and their family members.

The Syndicate further demands the immediate and unconditional release of Messrs. Torabian, Shahabi, Madadi, and Osanloo, and other imprisoned workers.

With hopes of the expansion of peace and justice throughout the world,

The Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs (Vahed) Bus Drivers
14 Tir 1389 (5 July 2010)