Deprived of Legal Rights and Facing Serious Threats
Majid Roshan-Nejad, a political prisoner, is being held in Ward 4 of Greater Tehran Prison among inmates convicted of violent crimes, in clear violation of the principle of separation of prisoners based on their charges. He has reportedly been subjected to repeated physical assaults, death threats, and theft of personal belongings in this ward.
Roshan-Nejad is one of the defendants in the case known as the “Evin Prison Fire.” He was sentenced by Branch 1148 of Tehran’s Criminal Court No. 2 to six years in prison and 74 lashes for “destruction of public property,” 16 months in prison and 74 lashes for “disturbing prison order,” and another 16 months for “disobeying prison authorities.” These sentences were issued just one day after the court session and were later upheld by the appeals court, raising concerns over the impartiality of the judicial process.
He was first arrested in June 2022 due to his activities on social media and was accused of “insulting the Supreme Leader.” During the Evin Prison fire incident, he was shot in the knee with live ammunition. Despite the severity of the injury, he was denied timely medical treatment, and the bullet remained lodged in his leg for two months. Informed sources report that prison officials deliberately withheld medical care.
In June 2023, Roshan-Nejad was transferred to Greater Tehran Prison, where he continues to be held in Ward 4. Although he has repeatedly requested to be transferred to a ward designated for political prisoners, his appeals have gone unanswered. The ongoing threats and poor conditions led him to attempt suicide at one point.
His previous prison sentence officially ended in February 2023, but due to the new case related to the Evin fire, he remains incarcerated.
