The forced transfer of prisoners from Evin Prison, particularly political prisoners and foreign nationals, without providing clear information, is a blatant violation of human rights. The uncertain status of Ali Younesi, Arghavan Fallahi, Bizhan Kazemi, Morteza Asadi, and French hostages has raised serious concerns among families and the international community.
Iran Human Rights Society, Saturday, June 28, 2025– Following airstrikes on Evin Prison in Tehran, which caused extensive damage to parts of the facility, reports indicate the forced transfer of prisoners, especially political prisoners, to unknown locations. The status of Ali Younesi, Arghavan Fallahi, Bizhan Kazemi, Morteza Asadi, and two French hostages held in Ward 209 remains unclear, leaving their families in complete uncertainty.
Details of the Attack on Evin Prison
According to reports published on Monday, July 2, 1404 (June 23, 2025), Evin Prison was subjected to an airstrike. The attack damaged parts of Ward 209 and adjacent wards, including Wards 240 and 2-A. Images released by Mizan News Agency show severe destruction in these sections. Reports suggest that several prisoners were injured in the explosion, but no precise information regarding the number of casualties or injuries has been provided. Following the attack, Evin Prison authorities carried out a mass transfer of prisoners. According to the Iran Human Rights Organization, Hidayatollah Farzadi, the head of Evin Prison, along with special guard forces, forcibly transferred political prisoners from Ward 4 to Greater Tehran Prison without allowing them to take personal belongings. This action was accompanied by threats of weapon use, raising serious concerns about human rights violations.
Status of Ali Younesi
Ali Younesi, an elite computer engineering student at Sharif University of Technology and a gold medalist in the International Astronomy Olympiad, has been detained in Ward 209 of Evin Prison since 1399 (2020) on charges of association with the Mujahedin-e Khalq. Reports indicate that he was transferred from this ward just days before the attack. Since then, he has had no contact with his family, leaving them in complete uncertainty. Amnesty International had previously warned of the risk of Younesi’s execution, stating that he had been subjected to beatings and pressure to extract forced confessions.
Status of Arghavan Fallahi and Bizhan Kazemi
Arghavan Fallahi and Bizhan Kazemi, other political prisoners in Ward 209, are among those whose status remains unknown following the bombardment. Posts on the social media platform X reflect widespread public concern about their fate. Some unverified sources claim these individuals may have been transferred to unknown locations, but no official confirmation has been provided by authorities.
Status of Morteza Asadi
According to information from reliable sources, a few days before the attack on Evin Prison, Dr. Morteza Asadi, 45, was arrested by 6 to 8 plainclothes officers claiming affiliation with intelligence agencies. The arrest took place at his home, and the officers took him to an unknown location. The search of his residence continued until 11 p.m., with officers conducting a thorough inspection and confiscating all electronic devices, including Asadi’s and his wife’s laptops, computers, and mobile phones. No information is available about the whereabouts of this academic activist, leaving his family in severe distress.
Background and Activities of Morteza Asadi
Dr. Morteza Asadi is a well-known figure in the field of political science. In recent years, he has been active in analyzing Iran’s political and social issues and has had a prominent presence in media and academic circles. His arrest has sparked widespread reactions among academic colleagues, students, and human rights activists.
Status of French Hostages
Two French nationals, Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, were held in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. The families of Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, detained in Iran since 2022, have demanded immediate proof of their survival. The daughter of Jacques Paris stated: “We are terrified. We demand that Iranian authorities immediately prove that these two prisoners are alive and release them within hours.” Previously, Louis Arnaud, a French citizen released from Evin Prison, spoke in an interview with France 24 about the harsh and inhumane conditions in Ward 209, describing it as a facility for holding political prisoners and foreign hostages. No information has been released about the status of these three individuals following the attack. Arnaud had previously called for urgent action to secure the release of foreign nationals detained in Iran.
International Reactions and Concerns
Human rights organizations, including the Iran Human Rights Organization and Amnesty International, have expressed concern about the situation of Evin Prison inmates. These organizations have called for transparency regarding the fate of the prisoners and adherence to human rights standards during their transfer and detention. Families of the prisoners and human rights activists have repeatedly requested precise information from Iranian authorities about the whereabouts and condition of these individuals, but no response has been received. The attack on Evin Prison and the forced transfer of prisoners, particularly political prisoners and foreign nationals, without providing clear information, constitutes a blatant violation of human rights. The uncertain status of Ali Younesi, Arghavan Fallahi, Bizhan Kazemi, Morteza Asadi, and the French hostages has raised serious concerns among families and the international community. The global community and human rights organizations must increase pressure on Iranian authorities to provide accurate information and ensure the safety of these individuals.
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