HRANA – On the morning of July 27, more than 100 special forces officers from Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, accompanied by Ministry of Intelligence agents, stormed the ward housing political prisoners. Dozens of inmates were beaten, phone lines were cut, and several prisoners were violently dragged in groups to solitary confinement. The raid was carried out to break resistance against two key actions: the forcible transfer of political prisoner Saeed Masouri to Zahedan Prison and the execution of fellow political prisoners Behrooz Ehsani Eslamlou and Mehdi Hasani.
According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the assault occurred in Unit 4 of Ghezel Hesar. Sources estimate that around 100 special forces personnel took part. Prisoners were beaten, insulted, handcuffed, shackled, and hooded with sacks before being transferred to solitary cells. The operation was ordered by Warden Allahkaram Azizi and his deputies, Hassan Ghobadi and Esmaeil Farajnejad. Other officials involved included Hossein Kamarei, head of prison security, as well as security personnel Rahim Fayzi, Ahmad Shirazi, and Mohammad Sabzehmakan.
A source familiar with the prisoners’ situation, who spoke to HRANA on condition of anonymity, stated: “Since yesterday morning, phone access for this ward has been completely cut off, and inmates have been unable to contact their families.”
Reports indicate the raid was a prelude to two key actions: the execution of political prisoners Behrooz Ehsani Eslamlou and Mehdi Hasani, who had been sentenced to death for the charge of baghi (armed rebellion), and the forced transfer of Saeed Masouri, a political prisoner serving a life sentence, to Zahedan Prison. According to available information, Ehsani Eslamlou and Hasani were not granted a final visit with their families.
The father of one prisoner sent to solitary confinement told HRANA earlier today: “I and several other families stood outside the prison today trying to get information, but officials ignored us and refused to provide any answers. Where is my son? Why should he be subjected to such violent treatment by prison officers?”
As of the time of this report, the exact number of prisoners transferred to solitary confinement and the condition of those injured remain unknown.
These recent developments in Ghezel Hesar Prison—including the violent raid, severed communication with families, and secret executions—have raised serious concerns about the violation of prisoners’ rights, the lack of transparency in judicial proceedings, and the intensifying security pressure on political detainees.
