Fresh reports from Evin Prison indicate that four female political prisoners, Shiva Esmaeili, Marzieh Farsi, Forough Taghipour, and Zahra Safaei, continue to be subjected to a ban on phone calls with their families. At the same time, informed sources have reported the deteriorating health of Shiva Esmaeili and Elaheh Fouladi, as well as inadequate medical facilities and poor nutritional conditions for women prisoners.
In early May, reports revealed that five political prisoners, Golrokh Iraee, Zahra Safaei, Marzieh Farsi, Shiva Esmaeili, and Sakineh Parvaneh, were subjected to a disciplinary ban on phone calls. Evin Prison authorities invalidated their phone cards, preventing them from contacting their families.
The measure was imposed after the prisoners participated in the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign and chanted slogans protesting the implementation of execution sentences.
Although the phone restrictions have since been lifted for some of the prisoners, Shiva Esmaeili, Marzieh Farsi, Forough Taghipour, and Zahra Safaei remain deprived of the right to telephone contact with their families.
Shiva Esmaeili’s Health Continues to Deteriorate
Alongside the continued ban on telephone contact, reports indicate that Shiva Esmaeili’s physical condition has significantly worsened. The political prisoner suffers from severe back pain and, despite requiring specialized medical treatment, has not been transferred to a medical facility outside the prison.
The pain has become so severe that she experiences difficulty breathing and has largely lost her ability to walk. According to her fellow prisoners, she now relies on other inmates for assistance with many daily activities.
Prison authorities and security agencies have also obstructed her medical treatment. Even in cases where physicians determined that her transfer to a specialized hospital was medically necessary, officials refused to authorize the transfer.
Ongoing Medical Restrictions for Elaheh Fouladi
Elaheh Fouladi is also facing serious health problems. She suffers from severe pelvic and back conditions and requires specialized medical care. However, her access to treatment continues to be restricted.
