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ITF welcomes release of Madadi - but is concerned about Salehi
17 December 2007
In response to the release yesterday of Ebrahim Madadi, the Vice President of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company, David Cockroft, ITF General Secretary said: "This is very good news - Madadi had committed no crime. Let us hope that the Iranian authorities have finally understood that trade union activities are a vital part of any strong society."
On his release, Madadi thanked the ITF, ITUC and trade unions around the world for their continued support. Without international pressure, his release would not have been so rapidly achieved, he emphasised.
Cockroft also strongly criticised the treatment in detention of Mahmoud Salehi, the former President of the Saquez bakers' union, who was jailed for his role in organising May Day celebrations. Salehi is suffering from high blood pressure; he has one failed kidney, kidney stones, heart and intestinal problems. He was hospitalised on December 4th with high blood pressure and re-admitted to hospital on December 11th after losing consciousness.
Cockroft said "Mahmoud Salehi's treatment is simply callous. He needs proper and sustained treatment outside hospital. His life is at risk. The Iranian government must release him now, on humanitarian grounds"
Cockroft demanded the release of Mansour Osanloo, President of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company, who has been detained since July and of Reza Dehghan, Union of the Painters (Sandicika Nagash) detained since 18th November.
NOTE:
Ebrahim Madadi was detained on 9th August 2007, along with several other members of the bus union, during the ITF/ITUC international action day for the release of Osanloo. The men were taken to Evin prison. The others were later released, but Madadi remained in jail. When Osanloo's five-year sentence was announced at the end of October, Madadi was given two years on charges, which included that of acting against national security. Lawyers appealed that ruling.
Mahmoud Salehi has been detained in the city of Sanandaj since April 9, 2007. Salehi is the former leader of the Bakery Workers' Association in Saqez.
ENDS
For more information contact ITF press officer, Sam Dawson, or in his absence, Sarah Finke.
Direct line: + 44 (0)20 7940 9260/258
Email: dawson_sam@itf.org.uk/
finke_sarah@itf.org.uk
International Transport Workers' Federation - ITF:
HEAD OFFICE
ITF House, 49 - 60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DS
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7403 2733
Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7375 7871
Email: mail@itf.org.uk
Web: www.itfglobal.org
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