Qezel Hesar Prison faces a communication blackout after a violent raid on political prisoners. Learn about Saeid Masouri’s resistance and human rights violations.
Iran Human Rights Society, Wednesday, July 16, 2025 –Qezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, Iran, stands as a focal point of severe human rights abuses. On July 16, 2025, special guard forces stormed Unit 4, the political prisoners’ ward, targeting Saeid Masouri, a veteran political prisoner. This violent raid, coupled with a complete communication blackout, underscores the ongoing repression in this notorious facility. Political prisoners resisted the attack, yet fears of further violence persist. This article examines the raid, the blackout, and the dire situation in Qezel Hesar Prison.
Violent Raid on the Political Ward
On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, special guard forces raided Unit 4 of Qezel Hesar Prison. They aimed to forcibly transfer Saeid Masouri without a judicial warrant, using extreme violence. Fellow prisoners quickly intervened, chanting “Death to the Dictator” and blocking Masouri’s transfer. Their bold resistance halted the immediate threat. However, tension remains high, with special forces, led by the prison deputy known as “Executioner Qobad,” stationed outside the ward. Prisoners fear another raid could occur at any moment.
Prison director Allah-Akram Azizi ordered a total communication blackout to suppress news of the incident. Authorities cut all phone lines, blocking prisoners’ contact with families and media. This blackout aims to prevent public outcry and conceal the repression. Sources inside the prison confirm this tactic is part of a broader strategy to control information. Consequently, families remain unaware of their loved ones’ safety, intensifying their distress.
A Symbol of Resistance
Born in 1965 in Khorramabad, Saeid Masouri represents the resilience of political prisoners. A former medical student in Germany and Norway, authorities arrested him in Dezful in January 2001. Charged with collaborating with the Mujahedin-e Khalq, he initially faced a death sentence, later commuted to life imprisonment. Over 25 years, Masouri has endured harsh conditions without a single day of furlough. He has repeatedly undertaken hunger strikes to protest inhumane treatment. In August 2023, special forces violently transferred him to Evin Prison, only to return him to Qezel Hesar Prison. Ministry of Intelligence agents have frequently summoned and threatened him, while his family faces similar intimidation.
Communication Blackout: A Tool of Repression
The communication blackout in Qezel Hesar Prison deliberately hides the regime’s actions. By severing phone lines, authorities prevent prisoners from sharing information with the outside world. This tactic keeps families uninformed and reduces opportunities for protest. Furthermore, the blackout heightens fears about the safety of prisoners like Behrouz Ehsani, Mehdi Hassani, and Abolhassan Montazer, who face death sentences. Their precarious situation underscores the urgent need for international attention to Qezel Hesar Prison’s abuses.
Human Rights Violations in Qezel Hesar Prison
The actions in Qezel Hesar Prison violate fundamental human rights principles. First, the violent raid and threats to Saeid Masouri’s life breach Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees the right to life, liberty, and security. Second, the attack and communication blackout constitute cruel treatment, violating Article 5’s prohibition of torture. Third, the attempted transfer without a warrant defies Article 9, which bans arbitrary arrest and exile. Finally, blocking communication deprives prisoners of Article 19’s right to freedom of expression and access to information. These violations reveal the Iranian regime’s disregard for international obligations.
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