Wave of arrests of social and labor activists in Iran

 NCRI – Following the suspicious death of labor activist Mr. Shahrokh Zamani in Gohardasht (Rajai Shahr) Prison in Karaj (north-west of the Iranian capital Tehran), there are now reports by human rights organizations of a wave of arrests of union and social activists.

Mr. Shahrokh Zamani, who was spending his fourth year in prison, was suspiciously found dead in his bed in prison on September 13.

Human rights and labor organizations report that Mr. Mahmoud Salehi, a unionist from Sanandaj, in Kurdistan Province, has been condemned to nine years of hard labor on September 16. He is charged with taking part in “populations fighting and advertising against the system.” He has been repeatedly arrested and imprisoned. On September 16, Mr. Salehi referred to the court in Sanandaj to receive his verdict, but the court’s office verbally declared that he has been condemned to nine years in prison and refused to hand him his verdict in writing.

Mr. Sahehi’s close associates state that he is suffering from acute renal problems that are the result of depriving him of medical treatment and medicine during his detention back in May. In his current condition he cannot tolerate any imprisonment due to the damage to his kidneys during his detention in the intelligence department of Sanandaj. Presently, he needs to undergo dialysis twice a week. His close associates state that any consequences of his renewed detention will squarely rest on the Iranian regime.

Similarly, on September 15, Mr. Ali Nejati, a well-known leader of the labor union in Haft Tapeh cane factory, was apprehended. This factory is located in the oil-rich province of Khuzestan, in south-western Iran.

Intelligence agents who raided Mr. Nejati’s home inspected the house and confiscated some of his belongings, including his computer, and took him away.

Mr. Nejati is the general director of Haft Tapeh Cane labor union and has been repeatedly pursued and apprehended because of his union activities.

It is reported that Mr. Ali Nejati suffers from heart ailment and is under treatment for that and was to refer to his physician in Tehran this week. His arrest would seriously jeopardize his health.

Simultaneously, there are reports of arrests of several student activists in Tehran University and two other universities in Tehran, the Alameh Tabatabaei and Khaje Nassir. Moreover, ten social activists have also been arrested.