IRANIAN solidarity group Codir said today that international campaigning had achieved the release from prison of trade union activists illegally detained on May 2.

The Metalworkers and Mechanics Trade Union of Iran announced the group’s release on Thursday night.

Maziar Gilaninejad and several of his colleagues and their families were arrested last Friday while attempting to attend a private May Day social event.

The Committee for the Defence of the Iranian People’s Rights hailed their release and said that it bears witness to what can be achieved by a fast and effective international solidarity campaign.

However, the group said that there were other trade unionists still in prison, such as Reza Shahabi, Mohammad Jarrahi and Shahrokh Zamani, and their release, along with and the release of all political prisoners was still a priority which would be helped by a growing campaign of international solidarity.