Reliable sources have reported an Omicron outbreak in Qarchak Prison in Varamin, in Tehran Province. The lives and health of women prisoners, and especially political prisoners, are in danger in Qarchak Prison.
According to a report published on February 10, 2022, many women prisoners have contracted the virus. The Omicron outbreak in Qarchak Prison aggravates the low level of health in this prison. There is no medicine or medical facilities to care for sick prisoners.
Prison guards transferred women infected with Omicron to the quarantine ward, which is very small, dirty, and cold. The quarantine ward had a small number of beds, and most women must sleep on the cold ground despite their illness. Prisoners are packed in this small place, while one of the most important factors in transmitting omicron is compression and direct contact.
The amount of medicine supplied to prisoners is insufficient and does not help improve their conditions.
Inmates once protested over the limited distribution of medicines, a lack of medical treatment, and the prison’s unsanitary conditions. The clinic’s doctor told them that there was not enough medicine outside the prison either, and they could not give them more medicines. Female political prisoners are detained in Qarchak Prison in violation of the principle of the separation of crimes. Their lives are in danger.
Some of these prisoners have underlying diseases and their health is more endangered. Forough Taghipour who suffers from lung disease and asthma has symptoms of the Coronavirus. Bahareh Soleimani, a nurse by profession, also contracted the Coronavirus in Qarchak Prison.
Political Prisoner Raheleh Ahmadi contracted the virus in Evin Prison
In Evin Prison, severe Covid-19 symptoms have been seen in many female inmates, but prison officials are not paying any attention to this issue.
Raheleh Ahmadi, a civil activist detained in the women’s ward of Evin Prison, is deprived of receiving medical care. She has symptoms such as dizziness, lethargy, diarrhea and vomiting, sore throat, and body aches but is deprived of medical care. Ms. Ahmadi has fallen twice due to dizziness on Sunday and Monday, February 13 and 14. Inmates took her to the prison clinic in a wheelchair.
She has had a nasal swap test, but the answer has not been announced yet. At least five other detainees in the women’s ward have similar symptoms. These women are denied medical leave. The Evin Prison authorities’ refusal to quarantine the sick inmates, has raised more concerns about the situation of other detainees.
Raheleh Ahmadi is sentenced to 31 months in prison and has been incarcerated since February 15, 2020. She was arrested for putting pressure on her daughter, Saba Kord Afshari, for making forced confessions.
She suffers from thyroid malfunctions which affect her immune system, making her more vulnerable to COVID-19.
In the wake of Saba’s exile to Qarchak Prison, Ms. Ahmadi faced medical problems due to stress and suffered a ruptured disc, and needed to use a walker to walk. Nevertheless, she did not receive proper medical treatment.
The prison clinic’s doctor said her immobility was due to nervous pressure, and she needed to be examined by a specialist neural doctor.
On March 14, 2021, she was granted a leave which terminated on April 10. Prison authorities rejected her request for an extension of leave.
