An appeals court in Iran has confirmed six-year prison sentences for two labor activists, Reza Shahabi and Hassan Saeedi, the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company Workers' Union reported.
The union said in a statement dated January 12 that the appeals court hearing was held without the presence of Shahabi and Saeidi. The two labor activists were convicted for "propaganda activity against the Islamic republic" and "assembly and collusion with the intention of committing a crime against national security."
In addition, Shahabi and Saeedi will not be allowed to leave the country for two years after their release and both were banned from joining political parties and using social media for that period.
Shahabi and Saeedi were arrested in May 2022 by Intelligence Ministry officers after they attended a rally marking May Day and to protest against high living costs and rising inflation. The participants also called for the right to establish independent labor organizations.
Shortly after, state television alleged Shahabi and other labor activists had met with two French nationals -- 37-year-old Cecile Kohler and her 69-year-old partner, Jacques Paris -- who have been detained and are accused of seeking to foment unrest in Iran.
The union said the court ruling has "angered and disgusted" their families and other labor activists and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the two men.
The news comes as security forces across the country try to suppress anti-government protests in cities triggered by the September death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in police custody for allegedly wearing a head scarf improperly.
The protests over Amini's death came after a summer of unrest across Iran over poor living conditions, water shortages, and economic difficulties resulting from crippling sanctions that the United States has imposed on Iran over its nuclear program.
The activist HRANA news agency said that more than 500 people had been killed during the unrest, including 70 minors, as security forces try to stifle widespread dissent.
