On Monday, May 1, 2023, five female political prisoners were transferred from Qarchak Prison to Evin Prison in Tehran.
The reason for the transfer remains unknown, but there is speculation that it may signal the adoption of harsher policies toward political activities by the clerical regime in Iran. Political prisoners, particularly women, in Iran, face numerous problems in jail, including unsanitary conditions, lack of access to treatment, lack of access to defense counsel, and restrictions on their calls and visitations. The five women transferred to Evin Prison were Fatemeh Ziaii Azad (Hoorieh), Elaheh Mohammadi, Niloufar Hamedi, Soha Mortezaii, and Zohreh Sarv.
Fatemeh Ziaii Azad, a supporter of the People’s Mojahedin of Iran (PMOI/MEK), was arrested for the sixth time on September 10, 2022. She has Multiple Sclerosis and requires urgent medical care. Her two daughters are members of the MEK.
Fatemeh Ziaii Azad was arrested for the 6th time and detained in Evin Prison
Niloufar Hamedi, a photojournalist for Shargh newspaper, was arrested by security forces at her home on September 22, 2022. Elaheh Mohammadi, a journalist for Ham-Mihan newspaper, was arrested by security forces in Tehran on September 23, 2022. Last week, the Judiciary spokesperson announced that the Judiciary had indicted the detained journalists, and their case has been referred to Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran.
Soha Mortezaii was serving her six-year sentence in Qarchak Prison. She was a Ph.D. student of political sciences when she was arrested and jailed in 2019. She was later deprived of continuing her education.
Elaheh Mohammadi (L) and Niloufar Hamedi
Zohreh Sarv, an online activist, was sentenced to 8 years imprisonment by Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court on charges of “insulting the leadership, propaganda against the state, assembly, and collusion with the intention of acting against the security of the country.” The appeals Court of Tehran Province made the sentence final to 5 years imprisonment.
Political prisoner Zohreh. The international community is urged to monitor the situation and pressure Iran to respect human rights and release all political prisoners.
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