The health condition of Shiva Esmaeli, a political prisoner held in the women’s ward of Evin Prison, has reportedly reached a critical stage. Shiva Esmaeli, who was previously transferred from Evin to Qarchak Prison in Varamin, developed severe back pain and limited mobility due to the unsanitary conditions and lack of medical facilities in Qarchak.
Despite her return to Evin Prison, Shiva continues to be denied access to specialized medical treatment and hospital transfer. Officials from the Ministry of Intelligence and the Evin Prison administration are reportedly preventing her transfer to an external medical facility, despite her worsening condition.
According to informed sources, the intensity of her pain has rendered her unable to perform daily activities without assistance from fellow inmates.
Consequences of Detention in Qarchak
The inhumane conditions in Qarchak Prison, particularly the lack of hygiene and medical services, are cited as the primary cause of her current physical suffering. Esmaeli had previously suffered from chronic back pain, which has now escalated to the point of near immobility.
Negligence by Security Agencies and Family Concerns
Despite repeated warnings from fellow prisoners and formal requests for urgent medical attention, judicial and security authorities have failed to respond. Her family has expressed serious concern over her deteriorating health.
Shiva Esmaeli is in urgent need of specialist medical examination and physiotherapy, yet authorities not only refuse to take action, but also deny her transfer to a hospital.
Her case stands as a stark example of the systematic denial of medical care to political prisoners—particularly female political detainees—in Evin Prison.
Who is Shiva Esmaeli?
Born in 1965, Esmaeli holds a degree in agricultural engineering and is a resident of Tehran. She was arrested on political grounds without legal transparency and has since endured years of imprisonment and resistance behind bars.
On May 14, 2023, after months of uncertainty, Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court handed down her sentence: five years for “assembly and collusion,” one year for “propaganda against the state,” and four years for “acting against national security.” As supplementary punishment, Shiva Esmaeli was also banned from leaving the country and from engaging in political and social activities for two years.
The state’s pressure has extended beyond Esmaeli herself: two of her children, Seyed Mehdi Vafaei Sani and Seyed Ali Vafaei Sani, are also currently serving their prison terms.
