Exclusive; Poor Conditions at Ghezal Hesar Prison; 13 Political Prisoners Demand 'Return to Evin'

Reports received by Voice of America indicate that 13 political prisoners transferred from Evin Prison in Tehran to Ghezal Hesar Prison in Karaj are living in 'poor medical and nutritional conditions' and lack 'personal security.' The transferred prisoners include Jafar Ebrahimi, Kamyar Fakour, Loqman Aminpour, Saeed Masouri, Afshin Baymani, Sepehr Imam Jom'e, Zartosht Ahmadi Raghb, Mohammad Shafaei, Saman Saidi (Yasin), Hamzeh Savari, Ahmadreza Haeri, Reza Salmanzadeh, and Masoudreza Ebrahimi Nejad. According to reports, these prisoners were summoned on September 3 under the pretext of being sent to the medical facility of Evin Prison, but after leaving their ward, they were handcuffed and shackled. Subsequently, Evin Prison officials forcibly and humiliatingly loaded these political prisoners into a vehicle, and after being transferred to Ghezal Hesar Prison, they were imprisoned in a small room in Ward 3, known as the 'secure ward.' A relative of one of the transferred prisoners told Voice of America that these prisoners are 'refusing to take their prison food in protest, and since they do not have a shopping card, they have access only to tea and biscuits.' Furthermore, it was noted that these 13 political prisoners are demanding 'to return to Evin Prison' and have stated that they will continue to refuse prison food until this demand is met. Reports indicate that the names of these 13 prisoners have not yet been registered as inmates in Ghezal Hesar Prison, and some of them do not have access to appropriate medical care. Meanwhile, the cellmates of these political prisoners are individuals convicted of murder or death row inmates, and there is no protection for them, requiring these 13 prisoners to be cautious not to cross paths with dangerous criminals. In this regard, the Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers' Trade Unions wrote about the 'latest situation of prisoners exiled from Evin Prison to Ghezal Hesar,' stating that they are forced to keep watch around the clock for their safety. This council also pointed out that the ward where these 13 political prisoners are held 'lacks basic facilities such as drinking water or hot water for bathing.' According to this report, 'the exiled prisoners have no opportunity for fresh air and are kept in a closed environment without ventilation 24 hours a day,' and their ward 'lacks any cooking facilities or a shop for purchases.' Meanwhile, the European organization Reporters Without Borders issued a statement on Wednesday, September 6, criticizing the legal cases formed against Jafar Ebrahimi, a teachers' union activist, and Kamyar Fakour, a journalist and labor activist, among political prisoners in Iran, noting that Mr. Ebrahimi is being held under conditions that have worsened his physical health. Previously, Erfan Karamvasi, the lawyer for Jafar Ebrahimi and Kamyar Fakour, tweeted about a new case being registered for his clients. He wrote that the case against the two has been registered with the complaint of the General Directorate of Prisons of Tehran Province for 'disturbing public order and insulting prison officials.' Reporters Without Borders, in its statement, highlighted the deteriorating physical condition of Jafar Ebrahimi, who suffers from multiple illnesses, and called for effective attention to his situation, stating that it must be ensured that Jafar Ebrahimi has access to appropriate medical care. This group also emphasized the need for the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Ebrahimi and Kamyar Fakour.