Sudden Transfer of a Large Number of Inmates to the Notorious Greater Tehran Prison
Tehran, Monday, June 23, 2025 – At 11:00 AM local time, Evin Prison — one of Iran’s most notorious detention centers for political prisoners — was extensively damaged in explosions during intensifying warfare, triggering widespread concern among the families of inmates.
The blast shattered windows across multiple wards and left several prisoners injured.
The administrative and security sections of Evin Prison were bombed. The targeted administrative area includes the offices of the judiciary, the prosecutor’s office, investigation units, and the intelligence sections of Ward 209 of Evin. This area is located near the entrance to Evin’s visitation hall. All interrogators operate out of this building.
According to eyewitnesses, the explosion caused fires and severe destruction in various prison sections, including the Women’s Ward, Ward 4, Wards 7 and 8, Ward 209, the gymnasium, the library, and the infirmary.
Women’s Ward: Injuries, Panic, and Lack of Medical Aid
Among the heavily impacted areas was the women’s ward. Credible reports confirm that several female prisoners sustained injuries from the shockwave and broken glass. Shattered windowpanes were hurled inward, leaving women trapped in a damaged and unsafe environment without protection or access to shelter.
Prison authorities have failed to transfer the injured prisoners to the hospital and provide them with adequate medical care.
Widespread Fires and Threats to Prisoners’ Lives
The prison infirmary — the main center for medical care — caught fire during the attack and was destroyed.
Explosives hit the prison gym located between Wards 7 and 8, setting it ablaze and causing the roof to collapse. Inmates have been left to battle the fire with their bare hands and makeshift tools.
Communications Severed, Visitations Canceled, Families in the Dark
Following the strike, phone lines in most wards were disconnected, severely limiting communication. Prison authorities have also announced the suspension of all visitations until further notice. Ward doors have been sealed, and access to outdoor spaces has been halted.
Forced Transfers and Escalating Repression Inside Evin Prison
Amid the chaos, reports have emerged of the suspicious transfer of detainees from Ward 209 — a high-security section usually holding political prisoners — to an undisclosed location.
The head of Evin Prison, accompanied by armed guards, entered Ward 4 and ordered political prisoners to evacuate the ward and be transferred to Greater Tehran Prison, without taking any of their personal belongings. The prisoners objected and protested against this forced and unlawful relocation.
Ward 4 of Evin Prison is one of the largest political wards in the facility, reportedly housing over 400 prisoners across four halls.
Calls for the Release of Political Prisoners and Protection of Prisoner Safety
The sudden and unprepared transfer of such a large number of inmates—especially to one of the country’s most dangerous prisons, Greater Tehran—is an inhumane and alarming act.
Under these circumstances, all political prisoners, detained solely for expressing their opinions, must be released immediately. Other inmates should be relocated to safe facilities without delay.
Despite warnings from international human rights groups, Iranian authorities refused to evacuate or release political prisoners from Evin, even amid active air raids. Evin Prison has for decades held political activists, journalists, and protesters. Last week, local reports exposed a violent crackdown following a prison riot in Dizel-Abad Prison in Kermanshah, where guards allegedly opened fire on inmates, killing several.
The NCRI Women’s Committee expresses our deep concern about the situation of prisoners held in prisons, and strongly condemns the sudden forced transfer of defenseless prisoners under repressive and security measures.
