Female protesters held in legal limbo for over three months at Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad are facing increasingly harsh treatment. These women, arrested during the nationwide protests in January 2026, remain in a state of undetermined status without clear judicial rulings.
According to social media reports, Azadeh (Masoomeh) Yaghoubi, a resident of Mashhad, was detained by security forces on February 3, 2026. She is currently being held in the quarantine ward of Vakilabad Prison.
Additionally, Samira (Fatemeh) Rezvanifar, another detainee from the January 2026 nationwide protests, has been held at Vakilabad Prison for nearly four months. She was arrested on January 17, 2026, and transferred to the prison’s quarantine ward. More than 100 days later, her judicial status remains uncertain.
Physical conditions of the Aramesh ward
The Aramesh ward is a warehouse-like structure situated below ground level, positioned lower than other sections of the prison and facing Ward 1. Its semi-underground design contributes to its harsh conditions. A recently released protester described the ward as resembling an “ant nest.”
Low ceilings, inadequate ventilation, and insufficient windows have made breathing difficult for inmates, leading to frequent respiratory distress and panic attacks. The ward’s door remains closed except in necessary circumstances, and prisoners from other sections are not permitted to enter.
Reported issues in the Aramesh ward include a shortage of blankets and pillows, malfunctioning heating and cooling systems, and poor sanitary conditions, particularly the lack of toilets and bathing facilities proportional to the number of detainees.
For unclear reasons, the smell of sewage permeates the ward, causing significant discomfort for prisoners. The lack of proper ventilation further exacerbates these conditions.
