Iran: eight of the workers detained on May Day released

The bails were set at 5m Tomans (US$5,400) each. One more detainee is due to be released on Saturday. However, Sheis Amani, the head of the National Union of Dismissed and Unemployed Workers, and Sedigh Karimi, member of the union’s governing board, are still in detention, and may even face prosecution. Khaled Savari, the deputy head of the union, was released yesterday, and Abbas Andaryari, a union activist, was released on Tuesday.

Families, colleagues and friends of the released workers greeted them enthusiastically outside the prison with bouquets of flowers. The released workers are all members and activists of the newly-formed National Union of Dismissed and Unemployed Workers. The releases come after the union and the families of those arrested kept up constant pressure on the government and authorities by daily protests.

In addition to the four remaining detainees, Mahmoud Salehi, the May Day organiser and labour activist from the city of Saqez, continues to be detained. The union and the families of the jailed workers have vowed to continue the fight for the unconditional release of all the remaining detained workers.