Human Rights Campaign in Iran: 17 Women Prisoners Injured in Evin Guard Attack

The Human Rights Campaign in Iran expressed deep concern on Thursday, August 9, over the "escalation of violence" against political female prisoners in Iran, reporting that 17 of these political prisoners were injured following an attack by the Evin guards, and Narges Mohammadi also suffered a heart attack. This statement was issued after the guards of Evin Prison violently assaulted these prisoners on Tuesday, August 7, stating that at least 17 female political prisoners, including Narges Mohammadi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, were injured in a "violent attack by prison guards" following their protest against the unjust execution of Reza Rasayi, a political prisoner. According to information obtained by the Persian section of Voice of America, Hedayatollah Farzadi, the head of Evin Prison, ordered the attack on the women’s political prisoners’ ward on the evening of Tuesday, August 7, and was present during the assault, verbally abusing them. An informed source told Voice of America on Thursday that the attack occurred after the female prisoners staged a sit-in on Tuesday morning upon learning of Reza Rasayi's execution. The source noted that the news of Rasayi's execution had a negative impact on the female political prisoners, to the extent that the sister of Mojahid Korkor, a political prisoner sentenced to death, fainted. The informed source also reported that at least seven political prisoners were injured, with most of the prisoners targeted in the face and head during the Evin guards' assault. The intensity of the attack was such that two political prisoners, Nasrin Javadi and Sarvnaz Ahmadi, suffered seizures and lost consciousness, and several prisoners were given intravenous fluids. The source added that most prisoners' bodies were bruised following the Evin guards' attack. The Human Rights Campaign in Iran stated that Evin Prison officials had previously refused to release Narges Mohammadi despite multiple requests from her lawyer and doctor for medical reasons, and called for the immediate release of Ms. Mohammadi and other female political prisoners who were attacked on Tuesday. This human rights organization emphasized that they must be provided with appropriate medical care. The campaign's statement points out that Iranian officials have a documented and blatant history of political prisoners suffering due to mistreatment and deprivation of medical care. The Human Rights Campaign in Iran stated that "this inhumane situation cannot continue, and immediate action is necessary to prevent further harm to prisoners." The statement emphasized that the judicial and prison authorities of the Islamic Republic are responsible for ensuring the safety of prisoners, but they have regularly failed to fulfill their obligations, and in many cases, political prisoners are punished with deprivation of leave and restricted access to medical care.