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Conflicting Reports on 'Calm' in Qarchak Prison Following 'Assault' on Protesting Inmates

Jan 25, 2026 January 25, 2026 3 min read 📰 Radio Farda
📋 Key Takeaway

A protest by female inmates at Qarchak Prison led to a violent response from prison officials, including the use of tear gas and physical assaults. While some officials claim the situation has calmed after assurances of amnesty, families report ongoing distress and injuries among the inmates. This incident highlights the ongoing human rights abuses within Iranian prisons.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The violent response to inmate protests underscores the dire conditions in Iranian prisons and the government's intolerance for dissent.

👥 Key Players

Qarchak Prison Officials MENTIONED
Prison authorities responsible for inmate management
"They represent the Iranian government's approach to handling dissent and inmate treatment."
Mahmoud Sadeghi MENTIONED
Member of Parliament for Tehran
"His statements reflect the official narrative and potential political implications regarding prison conditions."
Majzoban Noor MENTIONED
Independent news outlet reporting on prison conditions
"They provide critical information on human rights abuses in Iranian prisons."

📰 What Happened

Female inmates at Qarchak Prison protested over fears of being excluded from an amnesty, leading to a violent crackdown by prison officials who used tear gas and physical force. Despite claims from some officials that the situation has calmed, reports from families indicate ongoing distress and injuries among the inmates.

  • Prison officials reportedly used tear gas and physical violence against protesting inmates.
  • Families of inmates reported continued abnormal conditions and injuries despite official reassurances.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: This incident highlights the ongoing human rights abuses in Iranian prisons and the government's harsh response to dissent.
🌍 Regional: It reflects broader issues of governance and human rights in the region, potentially influencing public sentiment and stability.
🌐 International: The treatment of inmates may draw international condemnation and affect Iran's diplomatic relations, particularly with Western nations focused on human rights.

📚 Background

Iranian prisons, particularly Qarchak, have a history of human rights abuses, with reports of violence against inmates and inadequate living conditions. Protests within these facilities often arise from grievances related to treatment and legal status.

Human rights in Iran Prison conditions and inmate treatment
📡 Source: OPPOSITION
📊 Confidence: 70%
Majzoban Noor is an independent outlet often critical of the Iranian government, which may influence its reporting on prison conditions.

According to reports, after a protest by a group of female inmates at Qarchak Prison on Thursday evening, February 7, prison officials attacked the inmates and fired tear gas in the 'closed environment of the prison.' The website and Telegram channel Majzoban Noor reported that officials also attacked the inmates on Friday, 'assaulting' them, and several inmates were transferred to the hospital. However, Mahmoud Sadeghi, a representative from Tehran in Parliament, tweeted on Friday evening: 'I contacted an informed individual who said that the female drug inmates at Qarchak Prison protested today, believing that they would not be included in the amnesty. However, after being informed that they would be included, they calmed down.' Despite this, families of some inmates reported on Twitter that abnormal conditions continued in the prison, and they were unaware of the status of their relatives. The Majzoban Noor website also stated that the inmates protested due to the lack of attention to the condition of one of the inmates. An hour before his tweet about the phone call with 'an informed individual,' Sadeghi tweeted that 'the news from Qarchak Prison is concerning; whenever I call the relevant officials, they are unavailable.' According to the Majzoban Noor website and Telegram channel, after the protest by a group of inmates, prison guards 'attacked the female inmates by throwing tear gas in the closed environment of the ward.' The report stated that 'after the use of pepper spray and tear gas, the female inmates set their beds and blankets on fire to counteract the effects of the gas, and prison officials extinguished the fire using a fire truck.' The website and Telegram channel reported that 'the prison officials also cut off electricity and gas in the ward to prevent the spread of the fire, but they left the inmates exposed to the harsh cold and the effects of the gas until morning without attending to their condition.' A family member of one of the inmates told the Majzoban Noor website that several female inmates were 'severely injured' as a result of last night's attack and were transferred to the infirmary. According to the family of this inmate, the guards' attack on the female inmates continued into today, and the officials are currently 'beating the female inmates severely, and several inmates have been transferred to the infirmary.' There have been numerous reports in the past about the 'inhumane conditions' in Qarchak Prison. Female inmates are imprisoned on charges such as drug offenses and murder, and some women from the Gonabadi dervishes have also been transferred to this prison since winter 2018. In recent years, officials from Evin, Rajai Shahr, and Fashafouyeh prisons have repeatedly attacked and beaten inmates.

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Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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