Iranian of the Day

ICHRI:  Rassoul Badaghi, a teacher and a former member of the Board of Directors of the Iranian Teachers’ Association, was arrested on 31 August 2009, after he was summoned to Eslamshahr Education and Development Office.  He was later tried at Branch 15 of Tehran Revolutionary Court under Judge Salavati on charges of "propagating against the state," and "assembly and collusion with the intent to disrupt national security."  He was sentenced to six years in prison and five years’ ban on social and partisan activities.  Badaghi was also a member of the Unity Council for Democracy and Human Rights in Iran.

Rassoul Badaghi is currently serving his prison term inside Rajaee Shahr Prison in Karaj, where along with 11 other political prisoners, he embarked on a dry hunger strike in 2011 to protest prison conditions.

Throughout Badaghi’s imprisonment, his cellmates have repeatedly reported of his torture by prison officials. “We were once informed, and he later admitted himself that one time he was severely beaten and verbally abused at Rajaee Shahr Prison in Karaj. But because we get upset by the news, he says nothing. I don’t really know. But he’s in good spirits,” said his wife, Foroozan Alizadeh.

“My husband is a teacher. He defended the rights of his co-workers and other teachers. He was never active politically. I beg of human rights activists to look into the situation of the prisoners. I request his release. He is only a teacher,” added Foroozan Alizadeh.

Rassoul Badaghi has served almost three years in prison without a single day of of furlough.  Badaghi's family were contacted by Tehran Prosecutor's Office about a month ago and instructed to prepare to post bail for his release.  However, despite his posted bail, Badaghi's release was stopped by the Prosecutor's Office.