Mansour Osanlou, a prominent Iranian labour activist and head of the Tehran Vahed Transit Drivers Union, was released today on bail.
Four years ago, Osanlou was arrested without an arrest warrant in front of his home. He was later tried on charges of “activities against national security and propaganda against the regime” and was sentenced to five years in prison.
Further security charges were brought against him last year, resulting in a one-year extension of his sentence.
Osanlou has gone on several hunger strikes during his prison term to protest against his harsh treatment by prison officials.
He has also suffered from several health complications, leading physicians to declare him unfit to serve out his sentence.
In April, he was admitted to Mehr Hospital for three weeks for treatment of heart problems. According to his sister, Fereshteh Osanlou, he suffers from three blocked arteries in his heart.
Osanlou’s family has also been harshly treated by government security forces during his imprisonment.
