Around 20 political prisoners in Evin\u2019s women ward have repeatedly gathered in the head warden\u2019s office over the past week, demanding an end to what they describe as deliberate obstruction by prison officials, a halt to guards\u2019 violence and proper access to medical treatment, the source said on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The prisoners have also called for improvements in food and hygiene inside the ward, saying basic standards have sharply deteriorated since the new security team from Qarchak prison took over.<\/p>\n
The source, herself a political prisoner, said inmates have since been sent to solitary confinement on various pretexts, while family visits and phone calls are frequently cut off as punishment.<\/p>\n
Suicide attempt<\/p>\n
The source said one political prisoner in the women\u2019s ward recently attempted suicide after officials repeatedly blocked the implementation of her release order.<\/p>\n
Cellmates intervened and saved her before asking the duty officer for help, but the guard refused to assist despite the emergency, the source said.<\/p>\n
The prisoner, whose name Iran International is withholding for security reasons, is said to be in a deeply fragile psychological state.<\/p>\n
According to her fellow inmates, prison authorities keep finding pretexts to prevent her release despite repeated protests over the refusal to carry out a lawful decision.<\/p>\n
Denial of care<\/p>\n
In the absence of proper medical care, the prayer room of the women\u2019s ward has effectively been turned into a makeshift space to hold sick prisoners, the source told Iran International.<\/p>\n
The source accused prison officials of obstructing the implementation of laws on medical furloughs and conditional release on bail for inmates with serious illnesses, despite clear legal provisions allowing such measures.<\/p>\n
According to the source, political prisoner Aida Najafloo, who underwent surgery for a fractured vertebra, was returned to prison before completing treatment and is now suffering from a severe infection and critical physical condition.<\/p>\n