Raid on Evin Prison’s Ward 7 and the Enforced Disappearances of Six Political Prisoners

Following the receipt of verified and complementary information, on Saturday, August 1, 2026, Evin Prison guard forces launched a violent raid on Ward 7 (housing political prisoners). After severely beating and injuring six political prisoners, officers transferred them to an undisclosed location. As time passes without any official clarification, concerns regarding their torture and enforced disappearance have intensified.

Details of the Guard Raid and Severe Physical Assault

At approximately 11:30 AM on Saturday, August 1, 2026, special guard units at Evin Prison entered the political prisoners’ hall in Ward 7 without presenting any written transfer order or official warrant. The officers subjected six political prisoners to severe physical assault and violence.

The severity of the violence resulted in physical injuries to the prisoners and tore their clothing during the forced extraction. Eyewitnesses described the atmosphere of the ward during the operation as extremely tense and intimidating.

Presence of Senior Prison Officials in the Repressive Operation

Field reports emphasize that this action was pre-planned and executed under the direct supervision and presence of senior Evin Prison officials. Officials present at the scene include:

• Fathollahi (Head of Prison Guards)
• Rostami (Deputy Head of Prison Guards)
• Sadeghi (Deputy Head of Security)
• Yousefi (Deputy Head of Health Affairs)
• Haghjou (Head of Inspection)
• Mahmoudi (Head of Ward 7)

Names and Backgrounds of the Six Transferred Political Prisoners

Despite repeated inquiries, the families and lawyers of these six prisoners have received no information regarding their health status or location. The names and case details are as follows:

1. Amirhossein Moradi: 26 years old, elite physics student at Sharif University of Technology. Arrested on April 10, 2020, and sentenced to six years and eight months in prison on charges of supporting the PMOI. Reports indicate he has consistently been denied any furlough.
2. Ehsan Rostami: Sociologist, cultural activist, and director of “Samandar” Publishing. Arrested on August 20, 2025, and facing severe charges following months of detention without legal status and a hunger strike.
3. Ramin Rostami: Relative of Ehsan Rostami, arrested simultaneously on August 20, 2025, and held in legal limbo.
4. Mojtaba Taghavi: 58 years old, brother of Mohammad Taghavi (who was executed on March 30, 2026, on charges of PMOI membership). Mojtaba was arrested in March 2024 and sentenced to six years and seven months in prison.
5. Pejman Toubreh-Rizi: 31 years old, arrested in Tehran on January 28, 2025, and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
6. Afshin Heyratian (Rangriz): Children’s rights activist and expelled student, recently sentenced to a total of 31 years in prison by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Legal Standards and Explicit Violations of Law

This organized operation in Ward 7 of Evin Prison constitutes a clear violation of both Iranian domestic laws and Iran’s international obligations:

1. Violations of Domestic Laws

• Article 22 of the Constitution: Infringement on the physical integrity, dignity, and legal rights of prisoners.
• Article 38 of the Constitution: Absolute prohibition of torture and physical or psychological pressure.
• Article 39 of the Constitution: Prohibition of insult, humiliation, or abuse of detainees and prisoners.
• Executive Regulations of the Prisons Organization: Mandating authorities to preserve dignity, guarantee physical health, and provide official notification regarding the reason for and destination of prisoner transfers.

2. Violations of International Treaties and Conventions

• Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR): Prohibition of torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.
• Article 9 of the ICCPR: Prohibition of arbitrary detention and secret or unacknowledged detention.
• Article 10 of the ICCPR: Requirement that all people deprived of their liberty be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person.
• Risk of Enforced Disappearance: Failure to disclose the whereabouts and health status of individuals following arrest or transfer by state agents constitutes enforced disappearance under international law.

Call for Immediate International Action

Given the critical conditions in Ward 7 of Evin Prison, the failure to observe the principle of separation of crime categories, and the history of criminal conduct by guards toward political prisoners, the international community and supranational bodies must urgently pursue the following actions:

1. Pressuring the Iranian authorities for immediate clarification and official disclosure of the location and health status of the six transferred political prisoners.
2. Intervention by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Special Rapporteur to investigate the status of the disappeared prisoners and conduct an unconditional inspection of Evin Prison.
3. Legal prosecution and human rights sanctions designation against all perpetrators and commanders of this raid (specifically Fathollahi, Rostami, Sadeghi, Yousefi, Haghjou, and Mahmoudi).