HRANA – Yesterday, Evin Prison guard forces entered Ward 7 to transfer Ehsan Afrashteh, a death row prisoner. The move triggered protests among inmates, leading to heightened tensions in the ward. Prison authorities removed prisoners from Hall 2 to the yard and, using violence, transferred Afrashteh to an unknown location.

Based on information obtained by HRANA, on the morning of Monday, November 10, Evin Prison guards entered Ward 7 to transfer Afrashteh. The action sparked widespread protest and chanting from prisoners in the ward. In response, prison officials moved the inmates to the yard and locked the exit doors. While in the yard, officers violently transferred Afrashteh to an unknown location, closing off the rest of the halls.

Following Afrashteh’s transfer, tensions escalated in Hall 2, resulting in clashes between prisoners and prison officials. During the confrontation, one prisoner suffered a seizure and was violently taken to the prison infirmary.

A source close to a prisoner’s family told HRANA: “Previously, inmates in this ward had gathered to prevent Ehsan Afrashteh’s transfer for execution.”

Mr. Afrashteh was sentenced to death in June 2025 by Judge Salavati, head of Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, on the charge of “espionage.” The sentence was upheld first by Branch 39 of the Supreme Court during the appeals stage and again by Branch 9 during the first retrial. His case is now under review in the second retrial phase, referred to Branch 29 of the Supreme Court.

Ehsan Afrashteh was arrested in 2024 after returning to Iran from Turkey. Following several months in solitary confinement, he was transferred to the public ward of Evin Prison in October 2024, and he is currently held in Ward 7.

A source close to Afrashteh’s family confirmed to HRANA:
“Recently, prison officials intended to transfer him to Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, but several inmates tried to prevent it. In response, authorities summoned some of these prisoners to the ward’s administrative office and deprived them of family visits.”

The source added: “Ehsan Afrashteh has been accused of espionage for Israel and sentenced to death. Forced confessions were obtained from him, though the content remains undisclosed. According to the source, these confessions were fabricated, and Afrashteh has denied all charges. Additionally, some of his and his family’s assets have been seized, and his family remains under pressure and threats from security agencies.”

Ehsan Afrashteh, aged approximately 32, is a civil engineering graduate (MSc), an IT and network specialist, and a native of Isfahan who previously resided in Tehran.