Qezel Hesar Prison’s role in forced disappearances of political prisoners sparks alarm. Iran Human Rights Society urges action to stop abuses.
Iran Human Rights Society Sunday, August 9, 2025- Qezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, Iran, has become a hub for human rights violations, including forced disappearances of political prisoners. On August 9, 2025, Iran Human Rights Society raised alarms about five death-row prisoners—Vahid Bani-Amerian, Pouya Ghobadi, Akbar Daneshvar, Babak Alipour, and Mohammad Taghavi—transferred to an unknown location instead of Qezel Hesar, as initially announced. This incident highlights a disturbing pattern of suppression. Consequently, the international community must act swiftly to address these grave abuses and hold Iranian authorities accountable.
Suspicious Transfers Fuel Fears of Forced Disappearances
On August 8, 2025, authorities moved a group of political prisoners from Greater Tehran Prison to Evin Prison. However, five death-row prisoners were separated and taken to an undisclosed location, despite claims they were headed to Qezel Hesar. Prison officials later denied any knowledge of their presence, raising suspicions of forced disappearances. This tactic mirrors previous cases where initial denials preceded confirmations of transfers or executions. For instance, similar incidents in recent weeks involved political prisoners facing sudden relocations without judicial warrants, intensifying fears of extrajudicial killings.
Families Left in the Dark
The families of these five prisoners have received no answers from judicial authorities or Qezel Hesar Prison. This lack of transparency violates their right to know their loved ones’ whereabouts. Moreover, the prisoners’ inability to contact lawyers or families heightens concerns about their safety. Human rights activists warn that such secrecy often precedes severe psychological pressure or executions. Therefore, the lack of communication signals a deliberate attempt to isolate prisoners and obscure their fate.
Senior Officials’ Role in Human Rights Violations
Qezel Hesar: A Tool for Suppression
Iran Human Rights Society labels Qezel Hesar Prison a “safe house” for security forces, used to silence political dissidents. Reports suggest the prison facilitates forced disappearances rather than serving as a lawful detention center. Furthermore, evidence points to Qezel Hesar as a site for eliminating activists under the guise of judicial processes. This alarming trend demands urgent scrutiny from global human rights organizations to prevent further abuses.
Senior Officials’ Role in Human Rights Violations
Senior Islamic Republic officials, alongside Qezel Hesar’s managers and staff, bear responsibility for these violations. They enable security forces to use the prison for suppression while claiming ignorance. For example, staff often deny knowledge of prisoners’ whereabouts, only for later revelations to confirm their presence or execution. This pattern suggests complicity in a system designed to eliminate dissent.
Unit 3: A Hub for Isolated Detention
In recent weeks, political prisoners, especially those facing death sentences, have been moved to Unit 3 of Qezel Hesar Prison. Here, they face complete isolation, denied phone calls, lawyer access, or information about their cases. Such conditions create an environment of fear and uncertainty, leaving prisoners vulnerable to coercion. Consequently, this unit has become a focal point for human rights concerns.
Vague Charges Fuel Injustice
Authorities often impose vague charges like “espionage” or “collaboration with the enemy” to justify heavy sentences or executions. These fabricated cases target dissidents, using the judiciary as a tool for suppression. For instance, prisoners in Unit 3 frequently learn of their death sentences abruptly, with no transparent legal process. This tactic reveals a systematic effort to silence opposition.
Urgent Call for International Action
Iran Human Rights Society urges the international community to hold Iranian officials and Qezel Hesar’s management accountable. The pattern of forced disappearances and executions demands immediate action to protect prisoners’ rights. By addressing these violations, global leaders can pressure Iran to uphold justice and transparency.
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