Teachers Sentenced to Prison for Participating in Peaceful Protests
8-August-2025
Category: Teachers
7 August 2025
News Category: Teachers
Breathing in Confinement – As part of the ongoing crackdown on teachers and labour activists, at least eight retired teacher unionists in Kerman Province have recently been handed unjust prison sentences for participating in peaceful trade union gatherings.
According to Breathing in Confinement, the news outlet of the Prisoners’ Rights League in Iran, these individuals were sentenced solely for taking part in peaceful protests. Majid Naderi, Hossein Rashidi Zandi, and Mohammadreza Behzadpour were each sentenced to one year in prison. Fatemeh Yazdani, Mitra Nikpour, Zahra Azizi, Leila Afshar, and Shahnaz Rezaei Sharifabadi were each sentenced to six months’ imprisonment.
In a statement, the Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations condemned the sentences, stating:
“At a time when the country is still grappling with the consequences of a fragile ceasefire following the twelve-day war, and while crises such as livelihood struggles, water shortages, and frequent electricity and water cuts—rooted in the structural incompetence of those in power—continue to disrupt the daily lives of millions, the regime has once again chosen suppression, arrests, and prison sentences over rational and democratic solutions.”
The Council described the rulings as unjust and part of a broader strategy of structural repression, adding:
“These actions will not silence our demands but will only strengthen our resolve to continue the path of civil resistance.”
In addition, Forough Khosravi, a teacher in Behbahan, has been arrested, while Alireza Mordasi, a teacher in Ahvaz, has reportedly been sentenced to death without a fair trial. Abdullah Momeni and Touran Soleimani are also facing new judicial cases.
The statement also listed a number of imprisoned teachers and activists, including Hashem Khastar, Javad Lal-Mohammadi, Asghar Amirzadegan, Mohammad Hassanpour, Abolfazl Khorran, Nahid Shirbisheh, Hossein Vahedi, Fatemeh Sepahri, Mohammad Hossein Sepahri, and Aman Jalali-Nejad.
The Coordinating Council called for the immediate revocation of the issued sentences, an end to arbitrary arrests and summons, and the unconditional release of all imprisoned teachers and political prisoners, stating:
“In this critical moment, what can lead to salvation is social solidarity and the regeneration of collective power.”