Iranian authorities transfer 18 Kurdish political prisoners from Mahabad Prison to Miandoab

The Kurdistan Human Rights Network revealed that at least 18 Kurdish political prisoners were suddenly transferred from Mahabad Prison to Miandoab Prison after protests erupted in the prison over the past few days, according to a report by Roj News Agency.

According to a report issued by the network, the protests broke out after a military facility near Mahabad Prison was bombed, which created tension among inmates following the closure of the prison gates. The report stated that a number of prisoners staged a protest before special forces intervened and used tear gas to disperse them.

The report indicated that following the protests, around 100 prisoners convicted on criminal charges, along with several political prisoners serving short-term sentences, were granted 15-day leave on bail or work permits, while some were temporarily released.

Later, at least 18 political prisoners, most of whom are serving sentences exceeding ten years, were gathered in the prison yard before being transferred a few hours later to Miandoab Prison in a security convoy belonging to special forces.

According to human rights sources, transferring prisoners amid the ongoing military escalation in the region may endanger their lives, particularly with the continued airstrikes targeting the city of Mahabad and its surroundings.

Local laws and international standards indicate the need to release prisoners or grant them temporary release during wartime, regardless of the nature of the charges against them, in order to protect their lives.

Investigations conducted by the network also showed a noticeable tightening of security measures inside prisons across Eastern Kurdistan over the past five days, coinciding with escalating airstrikes. The number of prison guards inside the wings has reportedly multiplied several times, wing doors have been closed to inmates, and prisoners have been barred from using public facilities such as the gym and library.

In a related development, information indicated the deployment of forces from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard inside the Urmia Central Prison complex, coinciding with the release of hundreds of prisoners—most of them convicted of criminal offenses—through bail, conditional release, or 15-day leave permits.

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ANHA