Evacuation of Rajai-Shahr Prison; Transfer of Prisoners to Other Prisons

Mizan News Agency, affiliated with the judiciary, confirmed the evacuation of prisoners and the clearing of Rajai-Shahr Prison in Karaj. In recent hours, images circulated on social media showing a significant presence of special forces, rescue units, police, and the 'Guard of the IRGC' around this prison. Mizan News stated that 'preparations for the closure of Rajai-Shahr Prison are underway' and 'the prisoners of this prison are being transferred to another prison.' The judiciary's news agency announced the evacuation of Rajai-Shahr Prison based on one of the 'decisions made during the provincial visit of the head of the judiciary on April 7' of this year. This morning, human rights websites reported the transfer of some political prisoners, including Saman Yasin, a singer and songwriter, to Evin Prison. It appears that these transfers are part of the ongoing evacuation of Rajai-Shahr Prison. Besides the news of the transfer of several political prisoners to Evin Prison, it is still unclear to which prisons the other inmates from this prison have been moved. Rajai-Shahr Prison, also known as 'Gohardasht Prison,' is located in Alborz Province and has become well-known during the Islamic Republic's history due to the presence of many political, ideological, and civil prisoners. The execution of a large number of political prisoners in the 1980s, especially in 1987 while imprisoned in Rajai-Shahr, has associated this prison with dark events such as political executions during that decade. Saman Yasin was transferred to Evin Prison. Saman Yasin's account of being beaten in a psychiatric hospital: 'I was unconscious for 24 hours.' The issue of death sentences in Iranian prisons continues; at least 7 more prisoners were executed in Karaj. A request from 6 female political prisoners: 'Stop the executions.'