According to reports received by the Karoon Human Rights Organization, following a widespread wave of arrests and the 40-day war between the United States and Israel and Iran, more than 600 political and religious prisoners are currently being held in Sheiban Prison in Ahwaz.
According to these reports, 185 prisoners are being held in Ward 8, 120 in Ward 5, and more than 310 others in the prison’s quarantine section. The sharp increase in the number of political and religious prisoners at the facility has raised serious concerns about their conditions of detention and the handling of their cases.
“Widespread Arrests of Young People in the Ahwaz Region”
According to recent reports, a significant proportion of those arrested in the latest wave are from the cities of Ahwaz, Fallahieh (Shadegan), Izeh, Behbahan, and Masjed Soleyman.
Reports received by Karoon indicate that young people make up a large proportion of the newly detained individuals, with most reportedly between the ages of 18 and 25. The widespread detention of young people in these communities has raised further concerns about the situation facing the younger generation and the social and security consequences of these arrests.
“Trials Inside the Prison; Denial of Access to Lawyers”
According to these reports, many of the newly detained individuals have been denied access to legal counsel, and effective legal representation has not been provided during the proceedings in their cases.
Court hearings have reportedly been conducted inside the prison via videoconference and, in some cases, collectively or en masse. Such circumstances have raised serious concerns about respect for the right to a defence and the principles of a fair trial.
According to the report, a significant number of these cases are being handled by Ehsan Adibimehr, head of Branch One of the Revolutionary Court in Ahwaz, who is reportedly known as the “Judge of Death.”
“Serious Charges and Lengthy Prison Sentences”
According to information received by the organization, a number of those recently arrested have been charged with offences including “acting against national security,” “spying for Israel and Mossad,” “propaganda against the state,” and “membership in or links to groups opposed to the state.”
Reports indicate that lengthy prison sentences have been issued against some of these individuals, including 20 years and one day, 15 years and one day, 10 years and one day, seven years and one day, and five years and one day in prison.
In many of these cases, no independent information is available regarding the details of the charges, the evidence presented against the defendants, the manner in which investigations were conducted, or the extent to which they were able to access legal counsel. Consequently, the circumstances surrounding these individuals and the judicial proceedings against them remain unclear and deeply concerning.
“More Than 310 People Held in Quarantine”
The detention of more than 310 recently arrested individuals in the quarantine section of Sheiban Prison, alongside hundreds of political and religious prisoners held in different wards, has heightened concerns about their conditions of detention.
According to the Karoon Human Rights Organization, 185 people are being held in Ward 8 and 120 in Ward 5, while more than 310 others are being held in the prison’s quarantine section.
Given the high number of recent detainees and the fact that a significant proportion of them are young, this situation underscores the urgent need for an independent examination of prison conditions, access to lawyers and family members, and guarantees of their legal rights.
It is worth noting that Sheiban Prison in Ahwaz has a capacity of approximately 2,000 people, but currently holds more than 4,000 prisoners.
“Karoon Human Rights Organization’s Condemnation”
The Karoon Human Rights Organization strongly condemns the widespread wave of arrests, particularly the detention of young people in various cities across the Ahwaz region (Khuzestan), as well as mass trials, the imposition of lengthy prison sentences, and violations of the rights of political and religious prisoners in Sheiban Prison in Ahwaz.
The organization calls for an end to opaque judicial procedures, immediate and unrestricted access for prisoners to legal counsel and their families, the provision of adequate medical and humanitarian services, and the conduct of fair trials in accordance with human rights principles.
The Karoon Human Rights Organization also calls on international human rights bodies and United Nations Special Rapporteurs to urgently address the situation of political and religious prisoners in Sheiban Prison in Ahwaz, particularly the more than 310 people being held in quarantine, and to take action to clarify their circumstances and ensure that their rights are protected.
