Soada Khadirzadeh, a Kurdish political prisoner, has been held in the women’s ward of Urmia Central Prison for the past two years, ten months, and twelve days.
She is detained along with her young child, who was born during her imprisonment. By the end of September this year, Khadirzadeh will have completed one-fourth of her 12-year prison sentence.
Khadirzadeh, a resident of Piranshahr, was sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison by the Criminal Court of Mahabad. The charges against her include “complicity in the murder of a member of the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)” and “membership in the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan.” The official ruling was communicated to her family on September 6, 2022.
Harsh Conditions and Health Concerns
Soada Khadirzadeh and her two-year-old daughter, Ala (also known as Solina), are currently imprisoned without the right to leave. The women’s ward of Urmia Central Prison, where they are held, lacks adequate sanitation, ventilation, and cooling systems. The poor conditions have led to Ala developing a skin allergy, yet prison authorities have refused to transfer her to an external medical facility for treatment.
Denied Medical Leave and Re-Arrest
The only time Khadirzadeh was granted leave was on Saturday, May 18, 2023, when she traveled from Urmia to a relative’s home in Piranshahr. However, the following day, she was re-arrested by intelligence forces in Piranshahr. She and her child were detained for 48 hours at the intelligence Department in Piranshahr before being returned to the women’s ward of Urmia Central Prison.
Previous Incidents and Imprisonment
Soada Khadirzadeh was initially arrested by government forces on Thursday, October 14, 2021, in Piranshahr and transferred to Urmia Central Prison on Monday, November 8, 2021. During her time in prison, Khadirzadeh attempted suicide but was saved.
On Tuesday, June 21, 2022, she delivered her baby via cesarean section at a hospital in Urmia. Despite the need for post-operative care, she was returned to prison just one day after giving birth.
Soada Khadirzadeh’s ongoing imprisonment under harsh conditions, especially with her young child, highlights the severe human rights violations faced by political prisoners in Iran.
