According to Karun Human Rights Organisation, following the transfer of several inmates charged with serious crimes, including drug trafficking and theft, to Ward 5 of Sheiban Prison in Ahwaz, clashes have recently broken out between prisoners—including Habib Deris, a political prisoner sentenced to death—and other inmates, resulting in several injuries.
Based on this report, prison authorities, in violation of the principle of separation of offenses explicitly stated in Iranian law, have housed prisoners convicted of violent and serious crimes alongside political prisoners. This comes while Ward 5 of Sheiban Prison, which has an official capacity of 100 inmates, is currently holding more than 125 political prisoners.
Each room in this ward is less than 20 square meters in size and, under standard conditions, should accommodate only 12 to 15 prisoners. However, due to severe overcrowding, some rooms are holding more than 20 inmates. This situation has led to increased tension, disorder, and serious threats to the safety and health of prisoners.
According to the executive regulations of Iran’s Prisons Organization, the separation of offenses is considered one of the fundamental principles of prison management, requiring that inmates be segregated based on the type of crime, background, and judicial status. However, it appears that this principle is being seriously violated in Sheiban Prison in Ahwaz.
Karun Human Rights Organisation has expressed deep concern over the critical situation in Ward 5 of Sheiban Prison, and called for urgent action by judicial and supervisory authorities to address this violation and to take necessary measures to protect the lives of political prisoners.
