Iranian Sociologist Held in 'Inhumane' State at Damavand Prison

Saeed Madani, a 65-year-old sociologist and political prisoner, is being held in "inhumane" conditions at Damavand Prison, sources tell IranWire. 

He was recently transferred from Evin Prison to Damavand. He is said to have been denied basic facilities and kept in a cell within the prison's quarantine ward, which lacks essential amenities.

According to IranWire sources, Madani is only allowed limited contact with his family and only two hours of sunlight daily. 

On April 4, prison authorities finally provided him with a bed in his quarantine cell.

Sources in the know of the situation reveal that Madani's cell lacks even minimal sanitation and hygiene. 

Despite suffering from a stomach ailment for a while, he has only recently been given his medication. He is deprived of basic necessities like heating, a refrigerator, a television, or a radio. 

In January 2022, Madani received a nine-year prison sentence from the Revolutionary Court.

The charges against him included "forming and leading anti-establishment groups," "conspiracy to undermine national security," and "propaganda against the Islamic Republic of Iran."

Judge Ali Mazloum of Branch 29 convicted Madani of the first two charges: "forming anti-government groups" and "propaganda against the Islamic Republic." 

He sentenced Madani to eight years for the first charge and one year for the second, totaling nine years.

The accusations stemmed primarily from Madani's public writings analyzing and describing various aspects of contemporary Iranian society.

The sociologist was arrested in May last year. Since then, He has been held in Evin prison under a temporary detention order.

Madani's research focuses on social movements and social issues such as addiction, domestic violence, prostitution, and child abuse.