Zolfaqar Yazdandoost, a political prisoner held in Gonbad-e Kavus Prison, has contracted scabies disease after being transferred to the quarantine of this prison. Reports indicate a critical hygienic situation, deprivation of treatment and intensification of pressures against political prisoners in this prison.
Iran Human Rights Society, Thursday June 18, 2026 – The situation of Zolfaqar Yazdandoost, a political prisoner in Gonbad-e Kavus Prison, has created new concerns about the detention conditions of political prisoners in this prison. This political prisoner who has been transferred to quarantine since Esfand 1404 on the order of the Gonbad-e Kavus prosecutor, has contracted scabies disease as a result of inappropriate hygienic conditions and despite the deterioration of his physical condition, he has been deprived of access to treatment and medicine. Reports received also indicate an increase in pressures and punitive treatments against political prisoners in Gonbad-e Kavus Prison.
What is the situation of Zolfaqar Yazdandoost in the quarantine of Gonbad-e Kavus Prison like?
Based on received information, Zolfaqar Yazdandoost has been transferred to the quarantine of Gonbad-e Kavus Prison since last February on the order of prosecutor Abolfazl Saeedi. The quarantine of this prison has faced severe hygienic problems for a long time and numerous reports about the spread of skin and infectious diseases in it have been published. Informed sources say that this political prisoner has contracted scabies disease as a result of these same conditions and his physical condition is severely inappropriate. The severity of the disease has been reported to the extent that he is unable to sleep at nights and suffers from continuous itching, pain and discomfort. Despite the urgent need for treatment, prison officials have not only not provided him with the necessary medical facilities, but have also not allowed his family and relatives to prepare the required medicines from outside the prison and deliver them to him.
Why has Gonbad-e Kavus Prison turned into one of the worrying centers for political prisoners?
Numerous reports from Gonbad-e Kavus Prison show that pressure on political prisoners in this prison has increased during recent months. Human rights sources have repeatedly warned about inappropriate detention conditions, deprivation of basic facilities, medical restrictions and punitive treatments with prisoners. Based on existing reports, part of the practical control of the prison quarantine is in the hands of a number of prisoners close to the prison management. It is said that these individuals have physically confronted and beaten prisoners who protest against the existing situation in various cases. Also, severe shortage of hygienic materials, the existence of bedbugs and pests and high density of prisoners have caused the spread of various diseases in this section of the prison. Political prisoners who are held in such conditions, in addition to deprivation of freedom, also face serious threats to their physical and mental health.
How was Zolfaqar Yazdandoost arrested?
Zolfaqar Yazdandoost, born in 1360 in Azadshahr city of Golestan province, is married and has one child. He was arrested by security forces in Khordad 1403 and after interrogation was transferred to Gonbad-e Kavus Prison. In one of the judicial cases, the court convicted him on the charge of “disrupting public order and comfort” to one year of imprisonment, 74 lashes and payment of 200 million Tomans fine. He was also convicted to one year in prison in another case. The lash sentence of this political prisoner was carried out on the order of Judge Jalali Tabar in Dey 1403 and again on the third of Ordibehesht 1404; an issue that itself faced widespread criticism from human rights activists.
What dimensions does the new case-building against political prisoners have?
Zolfaqar Yazdandoost and several other political prisoners were transferred to the intelligence detention center on 19 Khordad 1404. Based on reports, they were under interrogation and pressure for about two weeks and then were returned again to the prison quarantine. After returning these prisoners, a new case was formed against them under the title of “disrupting prison order.” Based on the claim raised by officials, these prisoners have been accused of setting fire to the image of Khamenei in the prison prayer room. Currently Zolfaqar Yazdandoost is still being held in the quarantine of Gonbad-e Kavus Prison and the situation of his new case is also in a halo of ambiguity.
Legal review of the case based on domestic laws
Legal ambiguities of the case
The long-term transfer of a political prisoner to quarantine and holding him in conditions where his physical health is endangered, is one of the most important ambiguities of this case. Also, forming a new case while the prisoner is in detention requires providing documentation and guaranteeing access to defense rights. On the other hand, depriving a prisoner of treatment and preventing his access to medicine, creates serious questions about compliance with domestic laws and the responsibility of prison authorities.
Related legal provisions
Based on Article 22 of the Constitution, the life, dignity and rights of persons are immune from aggression. Article 39 of the Constitution has also prohibited any violation of dignity and humiliating treatment towards arrested or imprisoned persons. Also, the bylaws of the Prisons Organization oblige prison officials to provide prisoners with necessary medical, hygienic and medical care services and to send them to medical centers in necessary cases.
Cases of law violation
Depriving a sick prisoner of access to treatment and medicine. Holding a prisoner in a polluted and disease-causing environment. Non-compliance with hygienic standards stipulated in prison bylaws. Forming a new case without sufficient transparency about the processing process. Applying double pressure on political prisoners through transfer to quarantine and punitive restrictions. Shortcoming in preserving the health and security of prisoners.
Violation of human rights; deprivation of treatment as inhuman behavior
The case of Zolfaqar Yazdandoost is an example of widespread concerns about the situation of political prisoners in Gonbad-e Kavus Prison. Deprivation of treatment, holding in a polluted environment, spread of disease and disregard for prisoners’ health from a human rights perspective is considered an example of inhuman and degrading behavior.
Violated provisions
Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatments; deprivation of treatment and holding in disease-causing conditions can be an example of this violation.
Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: The right to enjoy personal security and health.
Article 10 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: The necessity of humane and respectful treatment of persons deprived of liberty.
United Nations Mandela Rules: Prisoners should have access to medical and hygienic services similar to persons outside the prison.
The continuation of holding Zolfaqar Yazdandoost in the current conditions, along with numerous reports of pressure on political prisoners in Gonbad-e Kavus Prison, has increased concerns about the health and security of this prisoner and other political prisoners more than before.
See also the below articles:
- Karaj Central Prison Crisis: Intensifying Pressure, Poor Food, and Protest Suppression
- Concerns Rise Over Ehsan Khodadadi Execution Sentence in Tabriz
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