Labor Activists Reza Shahabi and Reyhaneh Ansari Arrested

Labor activists Reza Shahabi and Reyhaneh Ansari have been arrested. The detention of these labor activists comes as part of recent widespread arrests of labor union activists. Reza Shahabi had previously reported receiving threatening messages.

According to a statement by the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran’s United Bus Company, on the morning of April 11, Reza Shahabi, a board member of the Syndicate of Workers of the United Bus Company, was arrested by Ministry of Intelligence agents.

Concurrent with Reza Shahabi’s arrest, the Coordination Committee for Assistance in Creating Labor Organizations also announced the arrest of Reyhaneh Ansari, a labor activist in Iran.

The Syndicate of Workers of the United Bus Company described details of Reza Shahabi’s arrest: “Five Ministry of Intelligence agents went to Reza Shahabi’s home and forced the building guard to open his apartment door. As soon as the door opened, despite the fact that Reza Shahabi’s wife and daughter were not properly dressed, the agents forcibly entered their home.”

Reza Shahabi, a former political prisoner and dismissed worker of the United Bus Company, had previously posted on Instagram about text messages and WhatsApp messages from an unknown individual threatening to kill him, his wife, and his two children, as well as an attack by two motorcyclists on his niece. He had requested help from relevant authorities to ensure the security of those around him.

After serving a six-year sentence and being released from prison, Shahabi was running a food production workshop with his wife’s cooperation to make a living.

The Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs United Bus Company condemned Reza Shahabi’s arrest and, expressing deep concern about the condition of this union member, stated: “The judiciary is responsible for any threat to Reza Shahabi’s life.”

The Syndicate of Workers of the United Bus Company has called for Reza Shahabi’s unconditional release.

On the other hand, the Coordination Committee for Assistance in Creating Labor Organizations also announced that Reyhaneh Ansari, a labor activist, was arrested at dawn on Thursday, April 11.

The Coordination Committee for Assistance in Creating Labor Organizations condemned Reyhaneh Ansari’s arrest and called for her immediate and unconditional release.

The arrest of these labor activists is part of the ongoing widespread arrests of labor union activists that have taken place in recent days.

Source: DW