In an unexpected move Iranian government have temporarily released four journalists and two labour activists this week, each on heavy bails.
Sepideh Gholian, a prominent labor activist, is also among the newly freed after her second term of nine months. She was on hunger strike and Amnesty International had urged Iran to release her a day before Iran’s surprise move.
All of the former detainees are freed on heavy bails and Gholian was released after paying a bail equivalent to about $120,000.
However, two other well-known labor activists, Esmail Bakhshi and Assal Mohamadi, are still in prison.
A number of activists were arrested last year during a public protest by Haft Tappeh workers, most of whom are still in prison.