Ali Nejati, a prominent labour activist and an executive member of the Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Syndicate, was arrested by Islamic Republic authorities following the funeral of jailed labour activist Shahrokh Zamani, who was laid to rest in Tabriz after he suffered a stroke that caused his death in Rejaishahr Prison.

Ali Nejati

The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reports that on the evening of Tuesday September 16, security officers arrived at Nejati’s home with a warrant and arrested him after searching his home and confiscating some of his belongings, including his computer.

The reason for his arrest has not yet been announced.

Iran’s labour community was deeply affected by the death of Zamani, and his funeral was attended by several independent labour organizations who read a joint statement at the ceremony condemning the state’s treatment of Zamani and labour activists in general.

Ali Nejati has been detained on several occasions in the past for his activism. The Haft Tapeh Sugarcane Syndicate has issued a statement calling for his release and noting that he suffers from serious heart complications.