Iran International
Human rights groups and families of detainees warn that wartime conditions inside Iranian prisons could trigger another tragedy like the June strike on Tehran’s Evin prison.
Activists say the situation inside prisons has become increasingly chaotic. While some non-political detainees have reportedly been released on bail and many staff have reportedly left their posts for safer locations, authorities have refused to grant furlough to political prisoners or people detained during recent protests or accept bail.
The volunteer lawyers’ website Dadban also warned that periods of intense political or military tension in Iran often lead to harsher treatment of political prisoners.
“In the Islamic Republic, during times of severe political or military tension, the risk of intensified repression and even retaliation against political prisoners increases,” the group said. In such circumstances, detainees may face greater restrictions, violence or additional pressure.
Warnings of a humanitarian crisis
Several human rights organizations — including the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners and a foundation linked to imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi— have warned of an impending humanitarian crisis in Iranian prisons.
In their statements, the groups said administrative order inside Evin has effectively collapsed, guards have abandoned their posts and cell doors have been locked, leaving prisoners confined inside.
According to these reports, food distribution and medical care have largely been suspended, while the prison shop — a key source of food and drinking water for inmates — has also closed.
In some cases, activists say, political prisoners have been transferred to unknown locations without informing their families. Family members of detainees say they have been given little information about the prisoners’ fate.
Reports from rights groups and relatives who have managed to contact inmates suggest that Iran’s special police unit (NOPO) has taken control of Evin prison.
The wife of political prisoner Mostafa Mohammad-Hassan wrote on social media that authorities plan to transfer political prisoners and foreign nationals held in Evin to a prison in the city of Qom.
Fears of another Evin tragedy
Reza Khandan, a political prisoner in Evin and the husband of prominent human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, has also raised the alarm in a letter to Iran’s judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei.
Khandan warned that authorities had ignored repeated warnings from prisoners, as they did during the 12-day war in June when an Israeli missile attack on Evin prison destroyed parts of the complex and killed dozens of prisoners, visiting relatives and prison staff.
“This time no excuse will be acceptable,” Khandan wrote. “The direct responsibility for the lives of prisoners lies with the judiciary and the prison organization — prisoners who are still mourning their cellmates and families who mourn their loved ones.”
After the June attack, political prisoners were reportedly placed in shackles and temporarily transferred to other facilities, including Tehran Greater Prison (Fashafouyeh), Qezel Hesar prison and Qarchak women’s prison.
Conditions worsening in other prisons
Activists say the situation is deteriorating in other prisons as well.
Dadban reported worsening conditions at Qarchak women’s prison, south of Tehran — widely considered one of Iran’s harshest detention facilities.
According to the report, medical staff, administrative workers and guards have left their posts, leaving prison operations in disarray. Water shortages, already common at the facility, have worsened, and the prison shop is no longer operating.
At The Tehran Greater Prison blast waves from nearby explosions on March 2 reportedly shattered windows and damaged several walls. While no casualty figures have been confirmed, reports say prison guards beat inmates and fired tear gas inside the facility.
“My brother is in Tehran Greater Prison. For four days they have had neither water nor food,” a viewer wrote in a message to Iran International. “Officials have even welded the prison doors shut and the facility is now under the control of the Revolutionary Guards,” he added.
Similar incidents have been reported elsewhere. Kurdish news outlet Kurdpa said anti-riot guards attacked prisoners in Mahabad prison after inmates protested being held in dangerous wartime conditions following a strike on a nearby Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) base.
According to the report, guards fired tear gas, injuring at least two prisoners. Food rations were reduced to one meal a day, and phone calls were restricted, according to the report.
