On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, an unusually tense atmosphere prevailed in Qezel Hesar Prison. Special prison guards, under a pre-arranged and seemingly routine plan, entered Ward 4 of the political prisoners’ section. They attempted—through deception and coercion—to transfer Saeed Masouri, a seasoned and resilient political prisoner, to an unknown location. However, the plan, whose ultimate goal was exile or increased pressure on him, was temporarily halted due to the vigilance and collective protest of the other prisoners.
Saeed Masouri, who has been imprisoned in various prisons across Iran for over 25 years without a single day of furlough, has repeatedly faced threats, torture, and multiple deprivations over the years. Previously held in Evin, Gohardasht, and now Qezel Hesar prisons, he has been subjected to repeated summons by security officials and psychological pressure. Now, the authorities are insisting on transferring him to yet another place of exile.
Following this incident, Masouri released a letter titled “A Crime in Progress”, calling on the international community not to remain indifferent to his fate and that of other political prisoners.
Saeed Masouri’s letter from Qezel Hesar Prison came in response to the prison authorities’ actions aimed at exiling him:
“The conflict is not about whether I am transferred or not; it is solely about suppression, more suppression, and still more suppression, and an insistence on more killings and executions! It is exactly as it happened in 1988, and today we fear that the same path will be repeated, albeit with different language and methods. Back then, it was called the “Death Committee”; today, it is “fire at will.” But this widespread repression and intensification of executions are not signs of strength, but rather a confession of the regime’s helplessness in the face of truth and the will of the people. In the same vein, this “fire at will” is nothing but an attempt to cover up the depth of infiltration, decay, and structural collapse within the ruling system—a failure they want to compensate for by taking retribution on the people of Iran and their prisoners.
My refusal to accept a “transfer” from the exile of Qezelhesar Prison to yet another place of exile is not out of fear of being moved, nor is it due to the delusion that a few of us prisoners can stop these illegal acts. It is solely and exclusively to ensure that the massacre does not happen in silence and obscurity, as it did in 1988, but instead takes place before the eyes of history and awakened consciences! Yes, let the world hear this time that “a crime is in progress”—and that there is resistance against it! Even if this resistance only serves as a warning, an alert for the people of Iran and the world that “a crime is in progress”! Sabran Bani al-Kiram! (Patience, O noble sons!)
As for me personally, as a political prisoner and a supporter of the Mojahedin-e Khalq, especially during the days of Muharram and in the presence of the eternal message of Imam Hussein, I want to affirm that the blood of his son, which was thrown to the heavens, continues to rain down upon us Iranians, upon the Shiites, and upon his followers. And far be it from us to take a single step back on the path of freedom and liberation because of this prison, this exile, and these executions.
Even if the massacre of all of us serves only as a news report to announce the day of the event and prevents a crime from being carried out in silence!
What honor and fortune it would be if we have given this nation and our people just one alert, just one warning, even at the cost of our lives! For Iran and Iranians have learned nothing from their myths of Siavash and Ariobarzanes, and from the epics of Ferdowsi, other than perseverance and resistance. And what an unparalleled honor it is that we have drawn inspiration and learned from them, as well as from the liberating message of Islam, its Prophet of Mercy, and his legendary companions, for whom it is said: Tazul al-jibal wa la tazul (The mountains may move, but you shall not).
Alhamdulillah alladhi hadana li hadha wa ma kunna li nahtadiya lawla an hadana Allah (Praise be to Allah, who has guided us to this, and we would never have been guided if Allah had not guided us).
Saeed Masouri
17 July 2025″
