Iran intensifies crackdown on women political prisoners

On 12 July 2026 prison guards at Tehran’s Evin Prison raided the women’s ward (Ward 6), removing roughly 50 inmates convicted of financial crimes and announcing a plan to relocate political women detainees to the notorious Qarchak Prison in Varamin. The operation broke the principle of separating prisoners by offence, sparked protests from the political prisoners, resulted in physical confrontations, solitary confinement of two protesters, and exposed two young children in the ward to severe psychological trauma.

Separate reports confirm a broader escalation: women detained for participation in the nationwide protests continue to face denied medical care, new prison sentences and ongoing arrests. Cases include Shadi Shadman, sentenced to five years; Leila Afarin, denied treatment for a malignant brain tumour; photographer Negin Kiani, given a year for propaganda; student Raheleh Moeini, sentenced to two‑and‑a‑half years with a travel ban; Kurdish artist Neda Dadehjani, sentenced to three years plus internal exile; and Fatemeh Jami, detained for online activity. Detainees report isolation, revocation of phone cards and inadequate medical provisions.