Mohammad Shafaei, a political prisoner in Ghezel Hesar Prison, faces life-threatening medical neglect. Urgent action is needed to address Iran’s prison crisis.
Iran Human Rights Center, Friday, August 8, 2025 –Mohammad Shafaei, a political prisoner in Ghezel Hesar Prison, suffers from severe medical neglect, placing his life at grave risk. On August 6, 2025, Shafaei experienced an acute respiratory attack, choking, and a severe drop in blood pressure. Despite this critical condition, prison authorities delayed his transfer to medical facilities for hours, exacerbating his suffering. The deplorable state of Ghezel Hesar’s medical unit, coupled with systemic corruption and human rights abuses, underscores the urgent need for global intervention to save Shafaei and address Iran’s prison crisis.
Mohammad Shafaei’s Health Crisis Ignites Alarm
On August 6, 2025, Mohammad Shafaei, a political prisoner, endured a life-threatening respiratory attack in Ghezel Hesar Prison. He struggled with shortness of breath and choking, while his blood pressure plummeted. However, prison officials delayed his transfer to the medical unit until the next morning. This delay, combined with inadequate facilities, has heightened fears for his survival. Eyewitnesses report that Shafaei received no meaningful treatment, highlighting the severe medical neglect plaguing the prison. Human rights activists demand immediate action to protect his life.
Ghezel Hesar’s Medical Unit: A Place of Silent Death
Ghezel Hesar Prison’s medical unit is a stark symbol of neglect and dysfunction. The facility lacks basic equipment, with only one outdated blood pressure monitor and no tools for specialized care. On August 7, 2025, authorities transferred Shafaei to this unit, where a doctor prescribed two heart-rate pills without a proper diagnosis. Reports indicate the unit has just two beds and a malfunctioning electrocardiogram machine, rendering it incapable of addressing serious conditions. Consequently, Mohammad Shafaei’s medical neglect continues, endangering his life further.
Systemic Neglect Claims Lives Weekly
The medical neglect in Ghezel Hesar extends beyond Shafaei’s case. Sources report that two to four prisoners, primarily those convicted of drug offenses, die weekly due to inadequate care, delayed hospital transfers, or drug use within the prison. Shockingly, some deaths go unrecorded, with body bags being the only reliable equipment in the medical unit. The rough, unpaved road to the facility worsens patients’ conditions during transport. This systemic failure underscores the dire consequences of medical neglect for all prisoners, including political detainees like Shafaei.
Corruption Fuels Inhumane Conditions
Ghezel Hesar Prison is rife with corruption, exacerbating Mohammad Shafaei’s medical neglect. Sources allege that senior officials, including warden Allahkaram Azizi, Esmaeil Farajnezhad, and Hassan Ghobadi, profit from an internal drug trade. These profits reportedly fund luxury purchases like properties and Renault Talisman cars. Additionally, Hayatolgheyb, head of Iran’s prison organization, is said to be a relative of Azizi, suggesting deep-rooted cronyism. This corruption diverts resources from healthcare, leaving prisoners like Shafaei without essential medical support.
Human Rights Violations in Shafaei’s Case
Mohammad Shafaei’s treatment violates several human rights principles. First, the delay in medical care and lack of proper treatment breach his right to life and security. Second, the prison’s failure to address his critical condition amounts to cruel and inhuman treatment. Third, the absence of oversight and prisoners’ inability to protest inadequate healthcare denies them fair procedural rights. Finally, the deplorable medical unit fails to meet basic health standards, violating Shafaei’s right to adequate living conditions. These abuses demand urgent attention.
Ghezel Hesar: A Hub of Repression and Executions
Ghezel Hesar Prison has become notorious for its brutal treatment of political prisoners. Recent reports confirm dozens of executions in 2025, often preceded by violent transfers and torture. For instance, political prisoners Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani faced secret executions in July 2025 after being moved to solitary confinement. The prison’s overcrowding, lack of transparency, and history of mass executions amplify concerns for Shafaei’s safety. The medical neglect he endures reflects a broader pattern of systemic repression in the facility.
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