NAURUAN CRANE CLIMBER ARRESTED BY POLICE
Refugee Action Coalition
MEDIA ALERT
NAURUAN CRANE CLIMBER ARRESTED BY POLICE
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