July 9,2026
Yaser Ahmadinejad must be released immediately and unconditionally.
Yaser Ahmadinejad is an oil worker and an elected representative of the National Iranian Drilling Company’s workers. For years, he has stood fearlessly alongside his co-workers, defending their rights against corrupt management, exploitative contractors, and the deeply entrenched corruption that plagues Iran’s oil industry. He repeatedly exposed collusion, fraud, and theft involving company managers and project contractors.
Yaser played a leading role in the legal campaign to secure the rights of 30,000 contract workers (Third-Party/Arkan-e-Sales workers) in the National Iranian Drilling Company. He organized campaigns, pursued legal action, and tirelessly fought for workers’ rights. For this, he was dismissed from his job. Following widespread protests by oil workers and employees, he was reinstated a year later. But he refused to be silenced. Continuing to expose corruption and defend workers, he was fired once again.
Rather than giving up, Yaser qualified as a lawyer so he could continue defending workers through the courts and challenge the systemic corruption of Iran’s oil industry.
Yaser has also paid a heavy price for standing with the workers. He was arrested and imprisoned during the popular uprisings of 2009, 2019, and 2022 because of his support for the protesters.
During the Woman, Life, Freedom movement and the nationwide protests that began in January 2026, Yaser again stood with the people against repression, corruption, and privilege. After being hunted by security forces for a month, he was arrested on 5 February 2026 at a relative’s home. On the basis of fabricated and politically motivated charges, he was sentenced to 42 months in prison. He is currently imprisoned in Yasuj Prison, where he continues to face harassment and abuse. Four months have now passed since his arrest.
Yaser is the father of two young boys, aged five and two. Throughout his imprisonment, he has been allowed to see his children only twice, in extremely brief visits.
On 11 June, two major oil workers’ organisations—the Organising Council of Oil Contract Workers’ Protests and the Third-Party (Arkan-e-Sales) Workers’ Organisation—issued a joint statement demanding Yaser’s immediate and unconditional release.
Free Them Now (FTN) strongly condemns the imprisonment of Yaser Ahmadinejad. We call on trade unions, labour organisations, and all defenders of human rights across the world to demand his immediate and unconditional release and to hold the Islamic Republic accountable for its relentless persecution of workers and its systematic violation of fundamental labour rights.
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