Exclusive from Evin | Political Prisoners and the Underprivileged Are in Bad Condition; Financial Prisoners Live Luxuriously

A political prisoner reported from Ward 4 of Evin Prison, which was obtained by Voice of America, stating: "The Islamic Republic has intensified pressure on political prisoners." Evin Prison is home to many critics and opponents of the Islamic Republic, and some of its wards are managed by security agencies. This prison is notorious for the inappropriate behavior of interrogators and agents towards political prisoners. The political prisoner, who wished to remain anonymous, wrote at the beginning of his report: "Ward 4 of Evin Prison is located next to Security Ward 209 and opposite the Evin Medical Center, currently housing over 300 prisoners with various charges." He added: "In Hall 1 of this ward, about 40 prisoners are held on charges of foreign connections and espionage, while in the other halls, prisoners with financial charges are incarcerated. However, on the ground floor of Hall 3, more than 50 political prisoners are enduring harsh conditions in four overcrowded rooms that are below standard." This political prisoner pointed out the name of the head of Ward 4 of Evin Prison, stating: "Hamid Mahmoudi, known as Colonel Mahmoudi, who gained notoriety for suppressing and insulting prisoners during the Evin Prison uprising in October 2022, has beaten many prisoners and is fabricating cases against them." According to him, Hamid Mahmoudi has threatened political prisoners that "he will use any means for control" and will carry out "new case fabrications" against them, while arbitrary cuts to in-person visits, an increase in the security atmosphere in the prison, and the creation of an informant network among prisoners are other actions that have intensified during Mahmoudi's tenure. The letter, which reached Voice of America, continues: "The situation regarding access to treatment and healthcare is deplorable. The prison only sends those who can afford treatment costs to medical centers, specialists rarely visit the prison, and there is insufficient medication in the clinic. Meanwhile, some financial prisoners, who are in prison for embezzling public funds and internal power struggles, enjoy long leaves, and when needed, they are hospitalized in private hospitals in VIP sections and have special facilities." This political prisoner writes in his letter: "Seyyed Hassan Mir Kazemi, known as Hassan Rayat, goes on leave every day and returns to prison at night to sleep. He lives in a room with Mustafa Tabasi (the son of Abbas Vaez Tabasi, the former custodian of the Astan Quds) with all amenities." He concluded: "In Ward 4 of Evin Prison, political prisoners and the underprivileged are in bad condition, but wealthy financial prisoners live luxuriously." Two days ago, statements by one of the Islamic Republic's judicial officials regarding the release and long leaves of some prisoners, including Akbar Tabari and Hassan Rayat, made headlines and faced negative reactions from the audience. The release of Mehdi Hashemi, Akbar Tabari, and Mohammad Ali Najafi; Shahram Jazayeri and Babak Zanjani in prison; the formation of a new case for a lawyer imprisoned in Evin; crime: informing about pressures and threats against protesting prisoners; screening of the film "White Torture" in the European Parliament; Narges Mohammadi: Women are assaulted in prison; exclusive; increased pressure on several political prisoners; the charge of "insulting the sacred" for Reza Norouzi; support from members of the "Grant Est" council for a French teacher imprisoned in Iran; Baqer Namazi on Father's Day: Bring dual nationals imprisoned in Iran back home; Mohammad Nourizad was tried regarding several new charges; civil rights | Hossein Kamangar, a Kurdish political prisoner, was acquitted of the charge of "rebellion"; labor protests against the seventh plan; Reza Shahabi: They unveiled "new slavery."