Beating of Political Prisoner Omid Fathi in Vakilabad Prison

HRANA – Political prisoner Omid Fathi, held in Vakilabad Prison of Mashhad, sustained an eye injury last night after being beaten by prison security officers. His pre-existing spinal disc condition has reportedly worsened, and he is currently denied phone calls and family visits.

A source close to Fathi’s family told HRANA:
“On the evening of Friday, October 17, several security officers at Vakilabad Prison attacked Omid Fathi after he left the prisoners’ phone area. As a result of the beating, one of his eyes was injured and became swollen and bloodshot. Given his history of a herniated disc, his physical condition is concerning.”

The source added:
“On Saturday, Omid Fathi’s family went to Vakilabad Prison to inquire about his condition but received no clear answers. Some officials claimed he was in the prison infirmary, while others said he remained in Ward 103. The family says they have been denied any contact or visitation, and repeated attempts to reach relevant authorities have yielded no results.”

Reports received by HRANA indicate that following the release of several audio recordings from inside the prison, a new security case has been opened against Fathi. According to informed sources, he was recently taken to court, where the content of the recordings was read to him, but his family has received no details regarding the legal proceedings or outcomes.

Omid Fathi, who suffers from back problems including a herniated disc, had previously been transferred to Ward 103 of Vakilabad Prison by order of the prison’s internal management and security department. On September 4, he went on hunger strike to protest poor prison conditions and the authorities’ failure to separate prisoners based on the nature of their charges.

In June 2025, Branch 1 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court sentenced Fathi to a fine of 50 million tomans in lieu of six months in prison. He was transferred to Vakilabad Prison after being unable to pay the fine. Another case against him, including charges of ‘insulting the Supreme Leader’, was to be heard in a separate court session, which was postponed due to the Israeli attack on Iran.

Omid Fathi, a resident of Mashhad, has previously faced multiple instances of security harassment and prosecution in connection with his activities.

Omid Fathi on Hunger Strike in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad

HRANA – Political prisoner Omid Fathi has gone on hunger strike in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad, in protest against his poor detention conditions and the authorities’ failure to uphold the principle of separation of crimes.

A source close to his family confirmed the news to HRANA, explaining: “Mr. Fathi was recently transferred to Ward 103 of Vakilabad Prison by order of the prison’s internal management and security. He has been denied separation of crimes, and his detention conditions are harsh, particularly as he suffers from health problems, including a herniated disc. In protest against this situation, he began his hunger strike on Thursday, September 4.”

In June, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad sentenced Fathi to a fine of 50 million tomans in lieu of six months in prison. Unable to pay the fine, he was subsequently arrested and transferred to Vakilabad Prison.

Fathi, a resident of Mashhad, has previously been targeted by security authorities in connection with his activities.

HRANA’s data from the past decade shows that during this ten-year period, over 2,050 political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Iran prisons have been forced to go on hunger strike in protest of various abuses—including prolonged detention, being held in legal limbo, unfair trials, poor prison conditions, and being held in solitary confinement or alongside inmates convicted of violent crimes.

Details on the Current Condition of Political Prisoner Omid Fathi in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad

HRANA – Omid Fathi, a political prisoner, is serving his sentence in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad without being held separately from prisoners convicted of non-political crimes, in violation of the principle of separation of crimes.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Fathi is being held in Ward 104, designated for general crimes, without regard for the principle of separating prisoners based on the nature of their charges. On June 11, 2025, Branch 1 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court sentenced him to a fine of 50 million tomans in lieu of six months in prison. Due to his inability to pay the fine, he is now serving the prison sentence.

A source close to Mr. Fathi’s family confirmed to HRANA: “After his arrest, Omid Fathi was interrogated at Branch 901 of the Mashhad Prosecutor’s Office and faced charges such as ‘propaganda against the regime,’ ‘disturbing public opinion,’ and ‘calling for an election boycott on social media.’ The charge of insulting judicial officials was also raised. Another part of his case, which includes charges such as insulting the Supreme Leader, was supposed to be handled in a separate court session. However, due to the timing of Israel’s attack on Iran, that session was not held.”

It is worth noting that Omid Fathi suffers from a Lumbar disc pain. According to the same source, due to sciatic nerve pressure, he walks with a stoop and is in poor physical condition.

Omid Fathi was arrested by security forces in Mashhad on June 3, 2025, and was later transferred to Vakilabad Prison.

Fathi, a resident of Mashhad, has previously faced security-related pressures due to his activism.