Contradictory Statements Regarding the Arrest of Ali Nejati and the Charges Against Ismail Bakhshi

While Ali Nejati's lawyer, a member of the board of the Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Workers' Syndicate, announced that the agents did not present a warrant for his arrest, the head of the judiciary in Shush claimed that he was arrested to enforce a previous case's ruling. Farzaneh Zilabi, the lawyer for the Haft Tappeh Sugarcane workers, also reported that her client has been charged with 'gathering and colluding against national security' and 'disturbing public order,' and the deputy prosecutor has issued a 'non-access order to the case.' According to the news agency Mizan, Sadegh Jafari Chaghini, the head of the judiciary in Shush, claimed on Friday, December 9, that the arrest of this board member of the Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Workers' Syndicate 'has nothing to do with the recent protests of the company's employees.' He stated that Mr. Nejati was arrested due to 'another charge that has been finalized' through the Andimeshk prosecutor's office. He did not mention the details of this case. Mr. Chaghini's statements come as the Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Workers' Syndicate announced that agents had 'no warrant' for Ali Nejati's arrest and that they had 'beaten' Mr. Nejati and his family when they requested to see the warrant. Meanwhile, Farzaneh Zilabi, in an interview with the IRNA news agency, said that security agents did not present a warrant for Mr. Nejati's arrest. Ali Nejati was arrested at his home on Thursday morning. Peyman Nejati, Mr. Nejati's son, and Majid Raaei, a guest of this labor activist, were also arrested and released after a few hours. This board member of the Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Workers' Syndicate was sentenced to six months in prison last year. Meanwhile, the lawyer for the Haft Tappeh Sugarcane workers stated that it is unclear whether Mr. Nejati was arrested to enforce a previous sentence or if there is another reason for his arrest. She also mentioned that Ismail Bakhshi, one of the representatives of the Haft Tappeh Sugarcane workers, has been charged with 'gathering and colluding against national security' and 'disturbing public order,' and the deputy prosecutor has also issued a 'non-access order to the case.' On Friday, while officials and judicial authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran denied reports of torture and Ismail Bakhshi's transfer to the hospital, several labor organizations confirmed the accuracy of this news. Mr. Bakhshi, along with 18 others, was arrested by security agents in Shush last Sunday. Seventeen of the detainees have been released on bail, and Sepideh Gholian, a civil activist, is also in detention like Ismail Bakhshi. Additionally, images and videos shared on social media indicate that protests by Haft Tappeh Sugarcane workers continue in Shush, with demonstrators calling for Ismail Bakhshi's release. In this context, the workers of Haft Tappeh gathered again in front of the governor's office and during Friday prayers. The protests of the workers from 'behind the enemy' raise questions about their direction. 'Thief free! Worker imprisoned!' The arrest of Ali Nejati; Ismail Bakhshi 'was transferred to the hospital due to torture.' Conflicting news about Ismail Bakhshi's physical condition; the continuation of labor protests. Severe government repression and the danger of protests going 'underground.' What doctors and eyewitnesses recount about the injured during the protests. The limitations of China-Iran relations becoming evident amid the protests.