Riot police were deployed at the Bafgh Iron Ore Mine on Wednesday August 20 in response to miner protests. According to ILNA, one of the protesting workers reported that police tried to break up the demonstrations and arrested 16 workers.

Two workers were reportedly arrested on Tuesday August 19, and warrants were also issued on Wednesday for the arrest of another 16 workers, who have taken refuge in the mine to avoid arrest, even as riot police have been dispatched to make the arrests.

ILNA reports that the workers stopped work at 10PM on Tuesday to protest the arrest of their colleagues and have called for their release.

The report indicates that riot police arrived on the scene while negotiations between the concerned parties were peacefully underway.

Earlier, the Bafgh miners had protested against plans to privatize the mine and offer its shares on the stock market.

Radio Zamaneh