Iranian Writers Association: Lives of 13 Political Prisoners Transferred to Qazalhessar Prison are in Danger

The Iranian Writers Association issued a statement in response to the poor conditions of 13 political prisoners transferred from Evin Prison to Qazalhessar Prison, stating: "The lives of these 13 prisoners are in serious danger, and there are fears that another deliberate crime may occur." The statement, published on Thursday, September 7, emphasizes that some of these prisoners were in "critical physical condition" before their transfer to Qazalhessar and reports indicate that they remain "deprived of medical attention." A specific reference in this statement is made to Jafar Ebrahimi, an inspector of the Coordinating Council of Cultural Associations of Iran, who, according to reports, is in critical condition due to the indifference of judicial authorities to his illnesses. The Iranian Writers Association added that today, "deliberate crime" has become one of the methods of leading prisoners to death, and "we have not forgotten and will not forget the murder of Bakhtash Abtin." Previously, Voice of America reported based on incoming reports that the 13 political prisoners transferred to Qazalhessar Prison in Karaj are in "poor medical and nutritional conditions" and lack "personal safety." The transferred prisoners include Jafar Ebrahimi, Kamyar Fakour, Loqman Aminpour, Saeed Masouri, Afshin Baymani, Sepehr Imam Jom'e, Zartosht Ahmadiraghb, Mohammad Shafaei, Saman Seydi (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 their transfer to Qazalhessar Prison, they were imprisoned in a small room in Ward 3, known as the "secure ward." A relative of one of the prisoners transferred to Qazalhessar told Voice of America that these prisoners "are refusing to take their prison food as a sign of protest, and since they do not have a shopping card, they only have access to tea and biscuits, with no other facilities available." Reports indicate that the names of these 13 prisoners have not yet been registered as prisoners in Qazalhessar Prison, and at the same time, some of them lack access to appropriate medical facilities. In this regard, the Coordinating Council of Cultural Associations of Iran wrote about the "latest situation of prisoners exiled from Evin Prison to Qazalhessar" that they are forced to keep watch day and night for their safety. Meanwhile, the group Reporters Without Borders in Europe, in a statement on Wednesday, September 6, criticized the formation of judicial cases against Jafar Ebrahimi, a teachers' union activist, and Kamyar Fakour, a journalist and labor activist, noting that Mr. Ebrahimi is being held in conditions that have worsened his physical health. Dr. Ghareh-Hassanloo: "In prison and due to torture, they broke four of my ribs." Dr. Hamid Ghareh-Hassanloo: "After my transfer to Rajai Shahr Prison, I was kept standing for 24 hours and prevented from sleeping." Exclusive: Description of the situation of political prisoners exiled to Qazalhessar; Voice of Reza Salmanzadeh from inside the prison. Details of the exile of 13 political prisoners from Evin Prison to Qazalhessar in an interview with Parisa Pouyandeh. Continued judicial action against educators; a teachers' union activist in Arak sentenced to prison and lashes. Exclusive: Nazila Maroufian's contact with family; informed source: she is on a "dry hunger strike."