Amid rising protests in Iran, former political prisoners caution that the visible clashes are just a glimpse of the severe violence occurring behind bars. In discussions, three ex-detainees revealed a regime intent on punishing dissent through methods like solitary confinement, physical abuse, medical neglect, and threats of death. Their accounts indicate a long-standing, intensifying pattern of mistreatment, stretching back nearly two decades, from the 2009 uprising to the current unrest fueled by the Women, Life, Freedom movement.
One prominent figure, Mariam Shariatmadari, known for her part in opposing the compulsory hijab, faced a one-year prison sentence in March 2018 for allegedly “promoting corruption” by removing her hijab. This past week, Shariatmadari noted that current protests are overwhelming the government’s capacity to detain demonstrators.
“Eyewitnesses report that security forces are even executing injured protesters on the spot,” she stated. “This is unprecedented for the last 47 years; the regime is clearly at a breaking point regarding detaining the sheer number of protesters.” In past disturbances, arrested individuals would typically be moved to prisons. However, during the 2022 protests, authorities have even resorted to utilizing schools, ambulances, and food trucks for detaining citizens.
Shariatmadari described a deeply abusive system in prisons, mentioning beatings, indiscriminate transfers between facilities, and encouraging harm among prisoners. Her own harrowing experience involved being stripped for a body search under surveillance, which made her feel exposed and vulnerable. Additionally, she faced a lengthy delay in receiving medical care after an injury, taking about 24 hours before she could get the needed surgery, which she attributes to public attention surrounding her situation.
Blindfolded for Hours
Mehdi Ghadimi, Shariatmadari’s husband and a journalist, was detained in January 2023 during a protest and spent most of his time in solitary confinement. He recounted being blindfolded during eight-hour interrogation sessions, being transferred later to a cell shared with prisoners from diverse backgrounds arrested during the recent demonstrations. Ghadimi observed harsher treatment of those accused of supporting the former Pahlavi dynasty, a sign of the regime’s selective brutality. He expressed concern that current detainees might endure even worse conditions.
Shabnam Madazadeh, another former political prisoner, related her thoughts on the current situation, recalling the extreme violence and the potential for mass executions. Having experienced overcrowded conditions during the 2009 protests, she warned that there is an imminent risk of historical abuses repeating, especially with the regime facing increasing instability.
All three former inmates emphasize the urgent need for international attention to the plight of detainees. They urge the global community to challenge the Iranian government, particularly regarding the treatment of prisoners. Shariatmadari insisted, “We must convey the real voices of those suffering inside Iran.” With ongoing protests, it’s clear that, as Ghadimi remarked, “the brutality exhibited on the streets is only a prelude to what awaits inside prisons.”
The fear of an impending crackdown looms over families, many of whom are searching for loved ones. “This anxiety itself is the greatest torture,” Madazadeh remarked, emphasizing that active awareness and action from the international community might be crucial in ensuring safety for those trapped in these dire circumstances.
