Tehran bus union man arrested in
new attack
25 June 2008
The ITF has expressed acute
concern following the arrest
yesterday of Gholamreza
Gholamhosseini, another member
of its Iranian bus affiliate.
Gholamhosseini, a member of the
Vahed Syndicate Executive Board
was arrested by police in Tehran
while visiting Shirodi Stadium,
where an event to marking Iran’s
Women's Day was taking place.
The gathering was sponsored by
the municipality of Tehran and
by the bus company, Sherkat
Vahed.
Security personnel prevented
Gholamhosseini from entering the
stadium; police then apprehended
him and took him to Gisha Police
Station.
Today, June 25th, Judge Hassan
Dehghan Dehnavi, who is also
involved in the case of the
union’s General Secretary
Mansour Osanloo, ordered
Gholamhosseini’s detention in
Evin prison. Hassan Dehghan
Dehnavi declared that
Gholamhosseini, who is not
charged with any crime, should
be detained for an indefinite
period whilst his case is
investigated.
Gholamhosseini had been
dismissed from the company for
taking part in the strike action
of January 2006. Although the
court has ordered his
reinstatement, the company is
refusing to comply.
Commenting on the arrest, David
Cockroft, ITF General Secretary
said ”We are appalled by this
new assault on genuine unions by
the Iranian authorities. On
behalf of millions of ITF
members worldwide, the ITF
condemns this action and seeks
the immediate release of
Gholamhosseini."