According to received reports, a representative of the Ministry of Intelligence, during a visit to Fardis Prison in Karaj, threatened female political prisoners and specifically placed Atefeh Hassani under pressure. This security official linked the release of Atefeh Hassani to her brother, Mohammad Hassani, backing down in the face of the Ministry of Intelligence’s demands; an action that heightens concerns regarding the exertion of pressure on the family members of political prisoners.
Iran Human Rights Society, Monday, August 10, 2026 – Atefeh Hassani, a political prisoner and sister of Mohammad Hassani, a political prisoner incarcerated in the Central Prison of Karaj, has faced direct threats from a representative of the Ministry of Intelligence in Fardis Prison of Karaj. According to information received, this security official told Atefeh Hassani that as long as her brother does not back down in the face of this institution’s demands, there will be no word of her release. Atefeh Hassani has been in detention since early January 2025, and her arrest and continued imprisonment have escalated concerns about using relatives of political prisoners as leverage for pressure.
Threats Against Atefeh Hassani in Fardis Prison of Karaj
According to received reports, a representative of the Ministry of Intelligence, during an inspection visit to Fardis Prison in Karaj, issued threats against female political prisoners held in this prison.
During this visit, Atefeh Hassani was specifically targeted with threats. According to received information, the Ministry of Intelligence representative stated to her that until her brother, Mohammad Hassani, backs down against the security institution’s demands, she should not expect to be released.
This threat directly ties the freedom of one prisoner to the behavior of another member of her family; a matter that has increased concern regarding the pressure exerted on families of political prisoners to force another prisoner into accepting security institutions’ demands.
Similar reports regarding pressure on relatives of political prisoners have also been published in previous years, and the arrest of Atefeh Hassani alongside the recent threat against her once again highlights the issue of pressuring the families of political prisoners.
How Was Atefeh Hassani Arrested?
Atefeh Hassani was arrested in early January 2025 by intelligence officers at her family home in Karaj.
Following her arrest, she was transferred to a detention center in Karaj for security interrogations and subsequently transferred to Kachuei Prison. According to the latest received information, she is currently held in Fardis Prison of Karaj.
Informed sources have linked Atefeh Hassani’s arrest to her family relation with Mohammad Hassani. At the same time, security institutions have raised allegations against her, including “membership in groups opposed to the regime.”
Based on available information, specific evidence forming the basis of this charge has not been published.
The continuation of Atefeh Hassani’s detention, and now direct threats against her referencing her brother’s stance, have added to concerns regarding the security institution’s motives for her continued incarceration.
Mohammad Hassani; Political Prisoner Incarcerated in the Central Prison of Karaj
Mohammad Hassani, Atefeh Hassani’s brother, is 33 years old, originally from Sonqor, residing in Karaj, and a master’s degree student.
He was arrested in December 2019/January 2020 and, according to published information, was subjected to pressure and torture during his period of detention and interrogation.
Charges raised against Mohammad Hassani have been stated as “supporting the Mojahedin,” “propaganda against the regime,” and “destruction of public property.”
Mohammad Hassani was sentenced to 12 years in prison by a court presided over by Judge Asef-Al-Hosseini, with six years initially announced as the enforceable sentence.
However, in August/September 2024, he was notified that due to the prevention of case consolidation by the Ministry of Intelligence, he must serve the entire 12-year sentence.
Furthermore, according to received information, the Ministry of Intelligence is seeking to open another case against Mohammad Hassani, which could add another eight years to his sentence.
Mohammad Hassani has been incarcerated in the Central Prison of Karaj since 2019/2020 without being granted even a single day of furlough.
Pressuring the Sister to Force the Brother to “Back Down”
The recent development in Atefeh Hassani’s situation has linked her case and her brother’s even more closely.
According to the report received, the Ministry of Intelligence representative conditioned Atefeh Hassani’s release on Mohammad Hassani “backing down” against this institution’s demands.
Such conduct, in the event of applying pressure on an individual due to the behavior or positions of their relatives, calls into question the principle of individual responsibility. Every accused person should be processed solely based on their own attributed conduct within an independent judicial process, and their release or continued detention cannot be dependent on the acceptance of security demands by another family member.
Legal Review of Atefeh Hassani’s Case Based on Domestic Laws
The dictatorial laws governing Iran in recent years have repeatedly been criticized for failing to align with fair trial standards, ambiguity in handling security cases, and restricting freedom of expression and political activities. Reviewing Atefeh Hassani’s case based on domestic laws does not imply endorsement of these laws; the goal is to highlight instances where even these existing laws were not observed by the security and judicial apparatuses.
Legal Ambiguities of the Case
The most critical issue in Atefeh Hassani’s case is the report regarding the conditioning of her release on her brother’s behavior. If an individual’s continued detention is carried out to put pressure on another family member, this stands in fundamental conflict with the principle of personal criminal responsibility.
On the other hand, regarding the charge of “membership in groups opposed to the regime” attributed to Atefeh Hassani, no specific evidence has been presented in the available information to date.
Her continued detention, along with the recent threat by the Ministry of Intelligence representative, raises serious questions regarding the independence of the judicial process from interventions by the security apparatus.
Relevant Legal Articles
- Article 22 of the Constitution: Holds individual life, property, rights, housing, and employment immune from violation, except in cases authorized by law.
- Article 32 of the Constitution: Mandates that arrests must be conducted in accordance with legal criteria and charges must be communicated to the individual.
- Article 35 of the Constitution: Recognizes the right to have an attorney.
- Article 36 of the Constitution: Mandates that the sentencing and execution of punishment must only be carried out through a competent court and pursuant to law.
- Article 37 of the Constitution: Establishes the presumption of innocence.
- Article 156 of the Constitution: Defines the Judiciary as an independent power.
Instances of Law Violation
- Threatening Atefeh Hassani with continued detention in relation to her brother’s behavior;
- Conditioning a prisoner’s release on family members accepting security demands;
- Ambiguity regarding the evidence supporting the charges raised against Atefeh Hassani;
- Concerns regarding Ministry of Intelligence intervention in the judicial process and in determining a prisoner’s status;
- Applying pressure on an individual due to family relationship with a political prisoner.
Reviewing the Case from the Perspective of Human Rights and Potential Violations of International Standards
Using detention or threats against a family member to exert pressure on another individual conflicts with fundamental principles of personal responsibility, liberty and security of person, and a fair trial.
Human Rights Ambiguities of the Case
The primary human rights concern in Atefeh Hassani’s case is the report regarding the use of her freedom status as leverage to pressure Mohammad Hassani.
Under such circumstances, detention moves outside the framework of reviewing individual conduct and risks becoming an instrument for exerting pressure on a third party.
Relevant International Documents
- Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Right to life, liberty, and security of person.
- Article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Prohibition of arbitrary arrest and detention.
- Article 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Right to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal.
- Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Protection against arbitrary interference with privacy and family.
- Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Prohibition of arbitrary arrest.
- Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Guarantee of a fair trial.
- Article 17 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Protection of privacy and family.
See also the below articles:
- Amol Prison: Spoiled Food Rations and Severe Health Crisis
- Hojjat Alizadegan Exiled to Saravan Prison and Denied Medication
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