Following the protests by female prisoners in Mashhad Central Prison (Vakilabad), guard officers, under the orders of prison officials, entered the ward and subjected the inmates to beatings and torture.
On July 30 and 31, 2024, female prisoners in Mashhad Central Prison protested due to the lack of facilities and unbearable heat in the wards and kitchen. They expressed their dissatisfaction by breaking windows and security cameras. In response, under the orders of Ali Abdi, the head of Vakilabad Prison, the guards entered the women’s ward and clamped down on the prisoners. The prison infirmary also refused to treat the injured prisoners.
Reasons for the Protest
Prisoners were dissatisfied with the extreme heat, poor quality of food, unsanitary kitchen conditions, lack of refrigerators, washing machines, stoves, and air conditioning devices. The increase in the number of prisoners and the lack of attention to sanitary conditions led to the spread of lice, cockroaches, and mice in the wards. Due to the lack of washing machines, prisoners are forced to wash their clothes in the bathroom or sinks. The building’s walls are covered with mold and mildew, and the entry of skin medication into the prison is prohibited.
Second Protest by Female Prisoners
In the second protest on August 3, 2024, the special guards acted under the orders of the prison officials and cracked down on the prisoners even more severely.
The cell doors were closed for 8 hours, and prisoners were not allowed to go to the restroom, store, courtyard, or infirmary.
Guards beat the doors with batons and created noise. Some prisoners were transferred to the Asayesh ward, which is for mentally ill patients.
Disciplinary files were opened for some prisoners, and some were deprived of visits, calls, and leave.
Crucifixion of Prisoners
In the Asayesh ward, prisoners were crucified to beds, causing wounds and infections on their hands and feet. They are only released from this position to go to the restroom and eat, during which one hand remains cuffed to the bed. Prison officials have forced these prisoners to take tranquilizers and sleeping pills, leading to addiction.
Leadership of Suppression and Torture
According to prisoners, Ali Abdi (prison head), Amir Pasban (internal manager), Jahedi (head of intelligence protection), and Vali Khani (deputy head of intelligence protection) were responsible for directing the suppression and torture of prisoners.
Female prisoners are demanding the replacement of the prison oversight judge (Tabatabaei), who is responsible for their psychological torture and harassment. Special guard forces remained stationed in the women’s ward until the end of August 2, 2024.
About Mashhad Central Prison
More than 8,000 prisoners are serving their sentences in Mashhad Central Prison. Most are incarcerated for social crimes such as theft, drug offenses, and family disputes. Several are also imprisoned for political or ideological reasons. There are also several Sunni prisoners in this prison.
On Thursday, September 24, 2020, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned two judges and three prisons, including the Central Prison of Mashhad, for their roles in torture, inhumane and degrading treatment, and arbitrary detentions of individuals for participating in peaceful assemblies.
