Iran: Keeping Prisoners, Especially Political Prisoners, Under Bombardment Is a Double Crime; Their Lives Are in Serious Danger
Iran: Keeping Prisoners, Especially Political Prisoners, Under Bombardment Is a Double Crime; Their Lives Are in Serious Danger- Sudden Transfer of 50 Political Prisoners from Evin to Fashafouyeh Prison
- Mrs. Maryam Rajavi Calls on the International Community for the Immediate Release of Prisoners, Particularly Political Prisoners
The lives and health of prisoners, especially political prisoners, across the country are severely threatened. They face the dangers of continuous bombardments and suppressive measures, as well as added pressures and restrictions from prison guards. This situation has created a wave of concern, particularly among their families.
The situation at Fashafouyeh Prison (Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary) is highly critical. A section of this prison, including its food storage, has been destroyed by bombardments, and prisoners are facing a severe shortage of food, medicine, and basic necessities. It is reported that prisoners receive only one meal a day. Many prison officials and staff have abandoned their posts in fear of the bombings, and no one is addressing the basic needs of the prisoners. The prison store is also closed.
Under such circumstances, 50 prisoners from Evin Prison were transferred to Fashafouyeh without prior notice. These 50 individuals have been crammed into a 20-person room lacking basic facilities, leaving most prisoners forced to sleep on the floor in a confined and unsanitary space. Political prisoners, ordinary criminals, sick prisoners, the elderly, and juveniles under 18 are held together without any segregation. Many of the transferred prisoners have not received food and are suffering from hunger.
In Ghezel Hesar Prison, the doors to the courtyards and halls are kept locked, confining the prisoners for long periods with no possibility of exiting or taking shelter during bombardments. Meanwhile, hundreds of suppressive forces, known as NOPO, are widely deployed around the prison.
On Tuesday, 3 March 2026, following the bombing of a military center near Mahabad Prison, prisoners whose ward doors had been locked protested and set fire to their blankets, demanding their release under wartime conditions. Suppressive forces responded by firing tear gas into the ward. Subsequently, on Wednesday, 4 March 2026, about 120 prisoners from Mahabad Prison were transferred to Miandoab Prison, where they are being held tightly packed in two quarantine rooms.
On Saturday, 7 March 2026, part of the wall at Fardis Karaj Prison (Kachouii) was damaged due to bombardment, causing deep concern among the families of the prisoners and leading them to gather in front of the prison.
Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), emphasized that amidst the bombardments, the lives of prisoners are in greater danger than ever. She stated that the mullahs’ regime keeping prisoners under these conditions is a double crime. She called on the international community and human rights defenders to take urgent action for the immediate release of all prisoners, especially political prisoners.
Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)
9 March 2026