President of Saqqez Bakers’ Union and at least ten others arrested following labor strike

Hengaw – Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Yadollah Elmi, President of the Bakers’ Union in Saqqez, was arrested alongside at least ten other bakers following a collective strike. The arrests were carried out by agents of the Islamic Republic’s Ministry of Intelligence, and the detainees were reportedly transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to information received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, the arrests took place on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, shortly after the bakers launched a citywide work stoppage in protest of government inaction.

Sources familiar with the matter reported that the group initiated the strike after repeated requests to local authorities to raise bread prices in response to rising production costs were ignored. Despite their appeals, no action was taken, prompting the workers to halt operations in protest.

No official statements have been released regarding the charges or whereabouts of those detained.