Over 70 Arrested in Connection with Truck Drivers' Strike

As reports continue about the ongoing strike of truck drivers, judicial officials and media from four provinces in Iran have reported the arrest of more than 70 truck drivers and individuals who, according to them, were promoting the strike on social media. According to ISNA news agency, the Chief Justice of Fars Province announced on Friday, October 6, the arrest of 35 individuals on charges of 'disrupting order and security' in road transportation in this province. Ali Alqasi Mehr stated, 'Unfortunately, some drivers also facilitated disruptions in road transportation by joining the strikers or promoting the strike; these individuals also bear legal responsibility, and necessary legal action will be taken against them.' He added, 'The enemy has long insisted on such programs aimed at creating public discontent by preventing services in various sectors such as road transportation.' Ismail Sadighi, the prosecutor of Qazvin, also reported on Thursday the arrest of 15 individuals who, according to his claims, 'created disruptions in the passage of trucks on the province's roads by blocking them.' Meanwhile, Ahmad Khosrowi Vafa, the Chief Justice of Isfahan Province, reported on Friday the arrest of 13 individuals who were 'protesting' and 'stopping' moving trucks. The Tasnim news agency, affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards, also broadcast a video of confessions from several detained youths, stating that their fathers are truck drivers and they were promoting the strike on social media. Haji-Reza Shakeri, the prosecutor of Karaj, reported the arrest of seven individuals on charges of 'assaulting' cargo trucks, stating that these individuals were accused of 'disrupting order through fighting, commotion, and noise.' Mohammad Jafar Montazeri, the Attorney General of the country, also threatened individuals who incite truck drivers to strike and, according to him, 'threaten' and 'create fear' to prevent the movement of trucks, stating that they would face charges of 'highway robbery.' He emphasized that this charge carries 'heavy penalties' and may even lead to the accused being 'executed.' Claims of 'assault' and 'attack' on trucks have also been made regarding some truck drivers detained in other provinces. Previously, Islamic Republic officials have accused protesters in similar protests of destroying public or private property. However, protesters have denied these claims, stating that these actions were carried out by security forces to create a pretext for suppressing them. In this context, videos of damage to public property and people's belongings by security forces have been previously published. In this regard, Mahmoud Sadeghi, Parvaneh Mafi, Soheila Jaloudarzadeh, and Elias Hazrati, four representatives from Tehran, issued a warning to the Minister of Interior, referring to the destruction of 'people's property, vehicles, and store doors' during the merchants' gathering in July, demanding 'action against the offending agents, compensation for damages, and prevention of the recurrence of such incidents in the future.' These four parliament members reminded that similar incidents had occurred during the protests of 2009, where the police announced that 'they would take action against the offending agents and compensate for the damages incurred.' The new round of truck drivers' strikes, which began a week ago, continues, and the Telegram channel of the Free Workers Union has published videos of the ongoing strike on Friday. The demands of truck drivers include setting base fares based on tons per kilometer by cargo type, reducing the price of trucks, spare parts, and tires by allocating state currency and eliminating customs duties, as well as increasing drivers' wages, increasing truck fares, increasing retirement pensions for drivers, enhancing security on roads, modernizing drivers' and truckers' unions through free elections, and creating welfare and health facilities for drivers at urban and border terminals. Previously, truck drivers had also gone on strike with these same demands in August and June of this year. These strikes received support from the General Confederation of Labor, major labor unions in Italy, the Front Against Austerity in that country, and the Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company.