As pressure on teachers’ union activists continues, Ameneh Bayraghdari, Azadeh Saleki and Kowkab Badaghi have faced prison sentences, official summonses and disciplinary proceedings. The measures have once again drawn attention to the situation of teachers and education-sector activists in Iran.
Imprisonment of a Teacher and Ordeal of a Family Battling Illness
Ameneh Bayraghdari, a 61-year-old retired teacher from Fariman, has been held in Ward 2 of Vakilabad Prison, known as the ward for dangerous offenders, after being arrested in connection with the January protests.
Ameneh Bayraghdari has faced harassment from some fellow inmates. Personal belongings, including clothing, a phone card and even her daily food, have been taken from her on multiple occasions.
Her son, Iman Anbai Farimani, is suffering from bone marrow cancer and his condition is deteriorating. Her husband, Ali Anbai Farimani, also a retired teacher, suffered a stroke after her re-arrest and is currently in a coma.
Azadeh Saleki Sentenced to Five Years in Prison
Azadeh Saleki, a teacher employed in Khaf County, was sentenced to five years in prison by the Appeals Court of Razavi Khorasan Province.
The appeals court overturned the original 10-year prison sentence and reduced the punishment to a total of five years.
Azadeh Salekiwas arrested by security forces during the nationwide protests of January 2026. After about one month of interrogation and solitary confinement, she was temporarily released on bail of 3 billion tomans pending the completion of judicial proceedings.
The teacher and union activist had previously faced disciplinary action in 2022 because of her labor activism and critical views. She was initially suspended from work for one month and later transferred from Torbat-e Heydarieh to Khaf County as a punitive measure.
Kowkab Badaghi Summoned by Education Ministry Disciplinary Board
Kowkab Badaghi Pegah, a history teacher living in Izeh, has been summoned to the Primary Board for Administrative Violations of Education Ministry employees in Khuzestan Province, and a new disciplinary case has been opened against her.
According to the report, the summons was issued because of a statement she published and her encouragement of followers of the Iranian Teachers Coordination Council Telegram channel to participate in the nationwide protests of January 2026.
The report also states that Kowkab Badaghi’s salary was suspended during March 2026 and April 2026.
She had previously been sentenced to one year in prison by Criminal Court of Ahvaz. In February 2026, she was also summoned to the Intelligence Department in Izeh. At the same time, security forces searched her home and confiscated a number of personal belongings.
Badaghi had earlier been sentenced by the Khuzestan Education Ministry Appeals Board in September 2025 to a three-month suspension from public service and has a record of judicial and administrative actions related to her labor activism.
