Sudden and Violent Transfer of Evin Prison Inmates to Greater Tehran Penitentiary and Qarchak Prison

Call to condemn inhumane treatment of prisoners and take immediate action for the release of political prisoners and for an international fact-finding mission to visit Iran’s prisons

On the night of Monday, June 23, 2025, authorities in Evin prison violently and hastily transferred all inmates from wards 7, 4, and 8—most of whom are political prisoners—using 20 buses. This relocation was carried out under the pretext of an attack targeting the entrance and administrative section of Evin Prison.

Most male inmates were transferred to Hall 3, Section 2 of the Greater Tehran Penitentiary (Fashafouyeh), and female inmates were sent to the notorious Qarchak Prison. Reports also indicate that some prisoners have been transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison. Hedayat Farzadi, the notorious head of Evin Prison, deployed armed guards and did not allow inmates any time to gather their belongings. Prisoners were loaded onto the buses in shackles and handcuffs, carrying only minimal personal items. Due to the rushed nature of the transfer, inmates were unable to bring their medications, leaving sick prisoners suffering without necessary treatment.

Hall 3, Section 2 of the Greater Tehran Penitentiary contains four rooms, each designed to hold 20 inmates. However, 40 prisoners have been crammed into each room, forced to sleep on the floor without beds. Some have been placed in the prison’s prayer room. Many of these inmates are suffering from various illnesses. Sanitary conditions are extremely poor, with only one bathroom available for the entire hall.

The female inmates from Evin were relocated to a hall in Qarchak Prison in Varamin, which lacks even the most basic facilities. Even before this transfer, overcrowding and inadequate resources were persistent complaints among prisoners.

In the wake of the reported attack on Evin, families are deeply concerned about the safety of their loved ones. Despite this, female prisoners have been denied any contact with their families.

The Iranian Resistance urges the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, and all international human rights organizations to condemn the clerical regime’s inhumane treatment of prisoners and to take immediate action for the release of political prisoners. The Resistance also renews its call for an international fact-finding mission to visit Iran’s prisons and speak directly with inmates.

Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)

25 June 2025