Following the release of Mohsen Hakimi and the second attack on Amir Kabir University students, Iranian Workers’ Solidarity Network is highlighting the terrible treatment of Abbas Hakimzadeh by the Iranian regime’s security forces in order to raise the issue of the continuing repression against workers, students, women, national minorities and many other sections of Iranian society. Abbas Hakimzadeh will be one of the four political prisoners whose plight IWSN will be publicising.

Abbas Hakimzadeh, a member of the Central Council of Office for Fostering Unity [the largest pro-reform student group] and a former member of the Islamic Society of Amir Kabir University, was arrested on February 24. Intelligence Ministry agents arrested him and a number of other students after violent assaults and have refused to answer any questions by the families of the students about their whereabouts and condition.

In June 2007, Abbas Hakimzadeh was one of the two Amir Kabir University (Tehran Polytechnic) students who were jailed at the notorious Evin prison. On 13 June a number of students were shouting slogans like “Down with the dictator” and “Down with despotism”, which provoked a violent reaction from the prison guards. The vicious attack by the prison guards in June 2007 left Hakimzadeh, who was hit on the temple, in a coma.

The crisis at Amir Kabir University started on April 30 2007 with the publication of student newsletters carrying articles which university officials deemed were insulting to Islam.

• Free Abbas Hakimzadeh!
• An injury to one is an injury to all!
• Free all political prisoners in Iran!

Iranian Workers’ Solidarity Network
4 March 2009