Vida Rabani, Imprisoned Journalist: Psychiatric Medications Distributed Among Prisoners Like 'Candy'

Vida Rabani, an imprisoned journalist, reacted in a letter from Evin Prison to the violation of the principle of 'confidentiality between doctor and patient' by the media of the judiciary and the publication of a report about her illness. She stated that prison officials distribute psychiatric medications among prisoners like 'candy.' In her open letter, published on social media on Thursday, June 4, she emphasized that in Ward 8 of Qarchak Prison, which is designated for women and where she had previously been held, young girls were 'detained in horrific ways, mostly through beatings, insults, and humiliation,' and that 'forced confessions and indoctrination were thriving.' She pointed out that prison officials did not consider the pressure detainees were under, describing the detention center as 'a method for pressuring and torturing the accused.' This imprisoned journalist highlighted the 'trauma, anxiety, and fear' of detainees, referencing the suicide of another detainee after hearing about the death of Yalda Aghafazli, stating, 'You killed Yalda,' and that 'the detention center is a method for you to pressure and torture the accused, not a time for conducting investigations.' Vida Rabani also mentioned that her mental illness began in 'Esfand 1398' (February-March 2020) following 'that bloody Aban and the threats from the IRGC after the plane crash and the protests at Amir Kabir University and the arrests by the Ministry of Intelligence.' She stated that the principle of 'confidentiality between patient and doctor' was violated by a report from the Mizan News Agency, the judiciary's media outlet, regarding her medical history, and that in Qarchak Prison, painkillers and sedatives are distributed among prisoners like 'candy' using a cart referred to as the 'joy cart.' Vida Rabani was arrested in Mehr 1401 (October 2022) and remains in prison despite her poor physical condition. Human rights sources have reported that judicial authorities are preventing her from being sent to the hospital. According to human rights reports, prisoners in Iran not only endure psychological pressures but are also deprived of adequate health facilities and the right to proper treatment. Benjamin Brier, who was recently released, announced that he was hospitalized for mental and physical treatment. His sister told Voice of America that this French citizen is now concerned about other prisoners, including other hostages in Iran. Additionally, the brother of Fatemeh Sepahri, a political activist imprisoned in Mashhad, who was returned to Vakilabad Prison without completing her treatment after surgery on her left hand, told Voice of America that his sister's hand wound has reopened and she has been taken back to the hospital, but was returned to prison after bandaging. In response to Voice of America, the United States rejected the Islamic Republic's claims regarding Elahe Mohammadi and Niloufar Hamedi. Mahbubeh Rezaei and Behrooz Izadi Rad, political activists, were arrested. Political prisoners in the women's ward of Evin oppose the death penalty: 'Overthrow is closer to the Islamic Republic than the neck vein.' Sepideh Gholian: In Iran, its poets sing the song of freedom in the streets and go to welcome bullets with the hope of a new era. The 'Freedom of Writing' award was presented to Narges Mohammadi; the American PEN Association awarded this prize to Mrs. Mohammadi's husband. Government media attacks on actors opposing compulsory hijab with new accusations: 'Hypocrite,' 'propagandist of corruption,' 'unforgivable.' Fatemeh Sepahri's brother told Voice of America: She was returned to prison without completing her treatment.