Mohammad Ashtiani, a political prisoner who has long completed his sentence, was abruptly transferred from Ward 8 of Evin Prison to Greater Tehran Prison on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. The move occurred without prior notification to either Ashtiani or his family, and the reasons behind this unexpected transfer remain unknown.
Reports from inside the prison, confirmed on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, highlight that Ashtiani has been held in custody beyond his original sentence. Although his prison term ended months ago, he remains incarcerated due to new, unsubstantiated financial charges. These charges lack a complainant, and the judge in the case has provided no legal basis for continuing his detention.
Ashtiani, born in 1963, is married with two children and was a supporter of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI) during the 1980s. His ordeal began in March 2019, when he was arrested by intelligence agents while operating a printing business in Tehran. Following his arrest, he was taken to the Ministry of Intelligence for interrogation, where he was reportedly tortured. He was later transferred to Karaj Central Prison and in 2019, was sentenced to three years in prison and fined on charges of “propaganda against the regime,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and “supporting the PMOI.” These charges have been widely regarded as baseless and fabricated to justify extending his imprisonment.
Although Ashtiani completed his sentence, the Ministry of Intelligence has continued to block his release by reopening his case under dubious financial allegations, demanding a large fine as a condition for his freedom. On May 15, 2024, Ashtiani was unexpectedly moved from Ward 15 of Karaj Central Prison to Evin Prison, where he was placed in Ward 8. During his detention, he has endured harsh conditions, including being forced to sleep on the floor despite suffering from serious health issues such as respiratory problems, asthma, and blocked arteries.
Human rights advocates have expressed deep concern over Mohammad Ashtiani’s ongoing imprisonment and his sudden transfer, calling for his immediate and unconditional release.
