Reports received from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad indicate severe density of those arrested in nationwide protests, holding of protesters alongside those convicted of public crimes, and continued detention of protesting women in the “Aramesh” ward and quarantine of this prison.
Iran Human Rights Society, Wednesday, 14 May 2026 – Informed sources from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad say the wards of this prison are facing unprecedented crowding following the extensive wave of arrests in the nationwide protests of 2026. According to these reports, the capacity of the wards has been filled and many of those arrested in the protests, including protesting women, are being held in conditions where the principle of separation of crimes is not observed and a large number of them are deprived of access to chosen lawyers and transparent trials.
Why Has Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad Faced Unprecedented Crowding?
Based on published reports, the wave of extensive arrests after the nationwide protests of January 2026 has caused Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad to become one of the main centers for holding those arrested. Informed sources say the high volume of transfers of those arrested to this prison has completely filled the capacity of the wards and there is no more empty space for holding new prisoners.
According to these sources, in the days after the peak of the protests, repeated and extensive transfers to Vakilabad Prison have continued and this very issue has caused severe density of the population in the prison wards. Human rights activists say the increase in the number of those arrested has made living conditions in the prison more difficult and has increased physical and psychological pressures on the prisoners.
Why Is the Principle of Separation of Crimes Not Observed in Vakilabad Prison?
Sources close to the prisoners say that due to the filling of the capacity of the wards, those arrested in the nationwide protests are being held alongside those convicted of public crimes. Human rights activists warn that non-observance of the principle of separation of crimes endangers the security and health of political prisoners and those arrested in protests.
According to them, holding protesters and political prisoners alongside those convicted of public crimes is against human rights standards and prison regulations and can prepare the ground for more pressure and threats against those arrested. Families of the prisoners have also expressed concern about this situation and have demanded clarification about the conditions of holding those arrested.
What Is the Situation of Arrested Women in the “Aramesh” Ward of Vakilabad Prison?
Based on published reports, at least 30 women were arrested during the protests of January 2026 and simultaneous security developments with the war in Razavi Khorasan Province and transferred to the “Aramesh” ward and quarantine of Vakilabad Prison. Reports indicate that so far 5 of these arrested have been released on bail, but 25 people are still being held in prison.
Informed sources say the “Aramesh” ward and the quarantine section of Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad have become the main place for holding protesting women in recent months. Human rights activists warn that the continued long-term detention of protesting women in non-transparent and security conditions has increased concerns about their physical and psychological status.
What Is the Hygienic Situation of the Aramesh Ward in Vakilabad Prison?
The “Aramesh” ward of Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad is an underground narrow and worn-out space with 12 double-decker beds; a space with a low ceiling that has been deprived of minimum living facilities. This ward has neither proper ventilation, nor a window for light and air to enter, nor even sufficient access to toilets and showers. One of the veteran prisoners has described this ward as “like an ant nest”; a stuffy, dense and exhausting place where prisoners live under constant physical and psychological pressure.
A number of other arrested women are also being held in the women’s quarantine section; a section that those arrested call “shashkhaneh” due to its appalling hygienic situation and inhuman conditions.
Based on received information, for a number of these women, all of whom were arrested after the January 2026 protests and subsequent developments, bail has been issued. However, the determined amounts are so heavy that many families are unable to provide them and this very issue has caused the continuation of the detention of these women in the hard prison conditions.
Why Do Human Rights Institutions Warn About the Trial Process of Those Arrested?
Published reports show that many of those arrested in the nationwide protests have been arrested without presenting a specific document or evidence. Also, human rights sources say a large number of these prisoners have been deprived of access to chosen lawyers and the process of handling their cases is carried out in a security and non-public atmosphere.
Human rights activists believe that ambiguity in the trial process and the closed nature of court sessions have eliminated the possibility of independent supervision over the handling process. According to them, in many cases, the only document available against those arrested is confessions obtained under pressure and security interrogations.
Have Those Arrested in Protests Been Subjected to Torture?
Human rights institutions have repeatedly warned that many of those arrested in protests have been subjected to physical and psychological tortures to obtain forced confessions. Informed sources say long interrogations, threats, psychological pressure and holding in harsh conditions have been part of the process of applying pressure on those arrested.
Human rights activists emphasize that the use of forced confessions in security cases has become a common pattern in dealing with protesters and many cases lack independent documents and reliable evidence. According to them, the continuation of this process has increased concerns about the issuance of heavy sentences against those arrested in protests.
Human Rights Violations; Torture, Non-Transparent Trials and Holding Protesters Alongside Those Convicted of Public Crimes
The situation of those arrested in protests in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad is accompanied by extensive concerns from a human rights perspective. Human rights activists say non-observance of the principle of separation of crimes, deprivation of prisoners from chosen lawyers, non-public and ambiguous trial process and use of forced confessions are signs of widespread violation of the rights of those arrested.
Violated Articles:
Violation of the prohibition of torture and forced confession – Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: No individual should be subjected to torture or inhuman treatment. Obtaining confession under physical and psychological pressure is a clear violation of this principle.
Violation of the right to a fair trial – Article 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Non-public and security-oriented handling and lack of judicial transparency violate the principles of fair trial.
Violation of the right to benefit from a lawyer – International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Depriving those arrested of access to a chosen lawyer eliminates the right to effective defense.
Violation of the principle of separation of crimes – Nelson Mandela Rules: Holding political prisoners and protesters alongside those convicted of public crimes violates international standards of treatment of prisoners.
Violation of the right to liberty and personal security – Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Widespread arrest of citizens without presenting clear documents and reliance on forced confessions violates the fundamental rights of individuals.
Names of some of the arrested women in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad are as follows:
Mahdieh Afghehi, along with her husband Abolghasem Alimoradi, have been arrested only because of a phone call with a television program. An 8 billion toman bail has been set for Mahdieh and a 5 billion toman bail for her husband; heavy amounts that the family is unable to provide and this very issue has caused the continuation of their detention.
Najmeh Amini, a 22-year-old girl who has been transferred to the security ward for nearly three months, was arrested in Ferdowsi Passage in Mashhad. She is now facing charges such as enmity against God, insulting the leader, insulting the Prophet and clashing with security forces; charges that could put her life in danger.
Sima Anbaei Farimani, 33 years old, from Fariman, poet, theater actress and master’s degree graduate in law, was arrested on 16 March 2026 and is now being held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. Charges such as “leading the protests”, “inciting gathering”, “propaganda against the regime” and “action against national security” have been raised against her. Informed sources say she had 67 days of underground life before her arrest.
Hadiseh Babazadeh has also been arrested on the charge of presence in protests and is currently in the quarantine ward of the prison.
Mahsa Bahadori has been held in the women’s ward of Vakilabad Prison since 20 March. Her charge has been stated as lighting a few candles on the graves of those killed in the January 2026 protests and she is facing charges such as gathering and collusion and propaganda against the regime.
Seyyedeh Soheila Hosseini Bayegi, along with her husband Dr. Ahmad Rahimi, have been arrested because of keeping Starlink internet at home and helping the injured in the January 2026 protests in Mashhad.
Melika Khavari Khorasani, a 21-year-old girl who worked in the dental assistant profession and intended to migrate and continue her studies in Germany, was arrested because of pouring disinfectant liquid from the window of her workplace on the heads of government forces. Although this action took place during street clashes, they have raised the charge of “acid throwing” against her and she has been held in temporary detention for four months now.
Arezoo Dehghan, 18 years old, has been arrested only because of presence in the January 2026 protests.
Tahereh Dehghan has also been sentenced to one year in prison because of participation in the protests in Chenaran and has been transferred to the security ward for about four months. It is said that she is to be released with conditional pardon after serving half of her sentence.
Fatemeh (Samira) Razvanifar was arrested on 17 January and in connection with the protests of 18 and 19 January. She is facing the charge of “gathering and collusion” and despite the determination of a heavy bail, her family has not been able to provide it so far.
Mina Zarei was arrested after the publication of the news of the killing of Ali Khamenei and because of dancing. Informed sources say she was severely beaten at the time of arrest and has been held in the quarantine ward of the prison since 1 March.
Mahboubeh Shabani has also been arrested on the charge of participation in protests and is in prison.
Faezeh Salehabadi was arrested about four months ago in connection with the protests and has been transferred to the security ward for more than two and a half months. Despite the issuance of a bail order, she is still remaining in prison due to the family’s inability to provide the determined amount.
Nadia Sedghali along with her 18-year-old sister Mobina Sedghali were arrested only because of placing flowers on the graves of those killed in the January 2026 protests in Mashhad. Mobina was released after two months on surety bail, but Nadia has been held in prison for three months due to inability to provide the 6 billion toman bail. Charges such as gathering and collusion, propaganda against the regime and inciting unrest have been raised against these two sisters.
Shahrzad Zamiri, deputy of social affairs of FATA Police of Razavi Khorasan, after 43 days of holding in a solitary cell of the IRGC intelligence, was transferred to the women’s ward about three months ago. It is said that the reason for her arrest was answering a call from one of her relatives about ways to deal with the effects of tear gas in the Mashhad protests.
Reyhaneh Kafshkonan, 52 years old, was transferred to the ward about 45 days ago and is still deprived of the right to contact and visit. It is said that in the last interrogation session, she faced threats of torture and execution. Reyhaneh is being held in the quarantine ward.
Hadiseh Morvaridi, 24 years old, was arrested on 8 January in Fariman and after the end of interrogations was transferred to the security ward. The charges raised against her, due to activity on social networks, have been stated as “insulting the sanctities” and “insulting the Prophet”; charges that could threaten her life.
Marzieh Mashhadi, born in 1976, who is said to have suffered severe depression, has been arrested because of a phone call with a television program and also the charge of presence in the protests of 18 and 19 Esfand.
Bibi Zahra Mousavi, 21-year-old girl from Fariman, was arrested on 20 January 2026. The charges raised against her include “presence in protests”, “propaganda and encouragement to commit crime”, “forming a group” and “action against national security”. She, who was the breadwinner of the family, has spent four months in a solitary cell and after arrest, the process of reviewing the file for receiving her Iranian birth certificate has also been stopped.
Seyyedeh Zeinab Mousavi, known as “Aban”, who worked as a barista, was arrested along with her brother Seyyed Hassan Mousavi on 24 February. They have been charged with throwing Molotov cocktails during the protests and both are now facing the charge of enmity against God. Informed sources say the lives of these two prisoners are in danger. Aban is being held in the quarantine ward.
Maryam Nouri, wife of the one killed in the protests, Ashkan Tarabzadeh, was arrested only five days after the killing of her husband and has been in prison since then. At the same time as her, her father and uncle were also arrested.
Asieh and Adeleh Naimi, two 45 and 50-year-old sisters, have been arrested because of a phone call with a live television program on the YourTime satellite network. Asieh has suffered severe nervous problems after arrest and Adeleh was previously undergoing cancer treatment.
Azar Yahu Torqabeh, born in 1987, was arrested by IRGC intelligence on 5 March. For her, due to what has been stated as “expressing happiness at the killing of Ali Khamenei”, charges such as cooperation with Israel and action against national security have been raised.
Masoumeh (Azadeh) Yaghoubi, born in 1979, was arrested on 24 January in connection with the January 2026 protests. Informed sources say she was under severe pressure from the Ministry of Intelligence during the interrogation period. A 5 billion toman bail has been set for her, but her family is unable to provide it. Azadeh is currently being held in the quarantine ward of the prison.
See also the below articles:
- Mohammad Abbasi Was Executed in Qezelhesar Prison; Torture and Hostage-Taking of His Daughter for Forced Confession
- Ehsan Afreshte Execution Sparks Global Human Rights Concerns
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