Exclusive: Preferential Treatment of Non-Political Prisoners in Evin

A series of compelling photographs received by IranWire from Tehran's infamous Evin Prison shows the striking differences in living conditions between political prisoners and other inmates and detainees.

The images, published here as an IranWire exclusive, depict stark disparities within the walls of the high-security compound and raise serious concerns about human rights violations and the unequal treatment of inmates.

One of the most glaring disparities observed in these photographs is the quality of living space. 

Political prisoners are confined to cramped quarters and are forced to sleep on the prison floor. 

In contrast, non-political inmates enjoy more spacious accommodations that include the luxury of a dining table.

The fundamental rights of prisoners, as outlined in the laws of the Islamic Republic, dictate that adequate living space must be provided to all detainees. 

However, information obtained by IranWire suggests an alarming escalation in the restrictions imposed on political prisoners in Evin Prison in recent weeks. 

The information highlights how the prison's head, Hedayat Farzadi, has arbitrarily severed communication and visitation rights for political prisoners, often resorting to flimsy pretexts to do so. 

These rights, which serve as lifelines for the accused, have systematically declined in recent months. 

The images capture the corridors of three wards of the prison, where political prisoners are relegated to cells designated as "security prisoners." 

The cells no longer exclusively house political prisoners but also serve as confinement for a diverse array of individuals. 

Lawyers, environmental activists, human rights advocates, students, sociologists, and political activists find themselves sharing the same space as political detainees. 

Over the past few months, numerous political prisoners have experienced unwarranted disruptions to their phone communication, sometimes over trivial reasons or saying a single word. 

In the most recent incident, as reported by IranWire, the phone call of Motaleb Ahmadian, a political prisoner confined in Evin, was abruptly terminated simply because he talked in Kurdish.

Additionally, IranWire has received information that several other political detainees have encountered similar disruptions to their phone communication.

Navid Mihandoost, a filmmaker incarcerated in Evin, faced even more severe consequences.

He was not only banned from making phone calls but also transferred to solitary confinement after revealing the death of Farmarz Javidzad, a Jewish prisoner, in the prison.

These constraints extend to the women's ward at Evin, where Narges Mohammadi, the laureate of the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize, continues to be denied the opportunity to communicate with her children in Paris through phone calls.

However, in recent months, IranWire has reported numerous instances where officers in Evin Prison have compromised. 

Non-political prisoners have gained unauthorized access to drugs, and what is particularly alarming is that these offenders have largely gone unpunished. 

This leniency is particularly evident among financial prisoners who benefit from more privileges.

Political prisoners are subjected to a range of restrictions, including phone disconnections, denied visitations, and even obstructed access to medical care for only voicing concerns and protesting against the glaring discrimination in the prison.

Narges Mohammadi had her meeting with her lawyer, Mustafa Nili, canceled due to her refusal to comply with the mandatory hijab requirement. She was also prevented from receiving medical attention when needed.

In another instance, under the direct order of Hedayat Farzadi, the head of Evin Prison, the transfers of Hossein Razzaq, a media activist, and Reza Shahabi, a labor activist, were blocked.

Adding to the growing concerns, in recent days, Razzaq was relocated to solitary confinement after he was beaten by intelligence officers. 

According to information obtained by IranWire, the intensification of restrictions on political prisoners, as evident in the published photos depicting their detention conditions, is being orchestrated under the orders of Hedayat Farzadi, head of the prison. 

Farzadi is a prominent figure who is supported by the intelligence branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

He holds a law degree from Imam Hossein University, an institution known for its strict selection process, exclusively admitting Shia individuals loyal to the Islamic Republic.  The individuals are groomed to become future trusted cadres within the Revolutionary Guard.