The Iranian asylum seeker, Reza Khestinzhad, who staged a nine hour protest on top of a the crane on Nauru on Friday (27 November), has been arrested by Nauruan police.
Reza was taken to the IHMS clinic on Friday, around 6.30pm, after he ended the protest and came down from the crane.
But this morning, Sunday, 29 November, Nauruan police arrested him at the clinic and took him to the police station, where he is being held.
Police refused to allow his sister to see him at the police station today and indicated that he would be held until at least Wednesday, although police have not said what charge, if any, he would face.
“We are extremely worried for Reza’s welfare,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition, “Reza should not be in jail. The police are an extension of the Nauruan government that is doing everything it can to stifle the right to protest on Nauru, including arbitrary arrest.
“Reza’s only crime was to send a message to the world that Nauru is a prison island.”
Meanwhile, today, Sunday 29 November, a Sri Lanka asylum seeker has scaled a high tree near the family camp on Nauru. The asylum seeker has been in the tree since 9am, Nauruan time.
The man, his wife and a daughter, have been held on Nauru for two and half years.
For more information contact Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713
