Mashhad prison authorities refuse to grant Azam Gholami release on bail pending trial
Political prisoner Azam Gholami, 35, has languished in confinement for over 10 months, held in an uncertain state. Despite the passage of ten months behind bars, the situation of Azam Gholami remains unresolved, as she is held within the confines of Mashhad Central Prison without trial or access to legal representation.
Azam Gholami’s ordeal began when security forces apprehended her in front of her Qasem Abad residence in Mashhad during the height of the nationwide uprising and protests in October 2022. Her home was subjected to a search, and several personal possessions were confiscated. She was subsequently taken to the detention center of the Intelligence Department of Mashhad.
Following a period of relentless interrogation that spanned more than two months, she was transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence Ward within the Central Prison of Mashhad, also known as Vakil Abad Prison.
After undergoing an interrogation session at Branch 904 and once the charge arraignment process was finalized, Azam Gholami was relocated to the women’s ward of Vakilabad Prison. Her fundamental rights as a defendant have been systematically denied.
Political prisoner Azam Gholami faces allegations of affiliation and collaboration with the primary Iranian opposition force, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). These accusations were lodged within Branch 904 of the Mashhad Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office, overseen by investigator Mohsen Gol-Mohammadi. Regrettably, she has been denied access to legal counsel throughout this process. Despite her circumstances, prison authorities refuse to grant her release on bail pending trial.
Born in 1988 and residing in Qasem Abad, Mashhad, Azam Gholami’s plight underscores the challenging circumstances endured by political prisoners, as they grapple with uncertain and unjust conditions imposed upon them by the authorities.
