Iraj Toubihai Najafabadi, a teachers’ union activist and member of the Najafabad Cultural Workers Association, was transferred to the village of Dehsalm in Nehbandan County, South Khorasan Province, on Sunday, July 19, to serve an internal exile sentence following the completion of his 25-month prison term.
According to information obtained by IranWire and reports from the “Iranian Teachers’ Union Challenge” Telegram channel, Toubihai Najafabadi had been serving his sentence in Isfahan Central Prison since January 4, 2025. His exile sentence was enforced immediately upon the completion of his prison term.
Dehsalm, the destination of the union activist’s exile, is a village on the edge of the Lut Desert and one of the underprivileged areas in eastern Iran. Located approximately 280 kilometres from Birjand, 300 kilometres from Zahedan, and 280 kilometres from Kerman, its geographical location and limited accessibility make it one of the most remote parts of the country.
In recent years, Iraj Toubihai Najafabadi has repeatedly faced summonses, arrests, and judicial prosecution due to his trade union activities, including advocating for teachers’ demands and participating in protest rallies. His exile order was part of a sentence previously issued against him.
