Shahzad Dana, an Iranian aerospace engineer, has been detained in Evin prison in Iran since June 2023. The exact reasons behind his arrest are still unclear, but there are speculations that his detainment might be linked to his professional work, which involves sensitive technologies and knowledge related to aerospace engineering.
Evin prison in Tehran has earned a notorious reputation for human rights abuses and mistreatment of political prisoners. The prison has been the site of several deadly fires, including the one that broke out in October 2022, killing at least eight prisoners. The fire drew attention to the human rights abuses behind the walls of Evin prison and sparked international outrage.
According to Anoosheh Ashoori, a British-Iranian businessman who was locked up for more than four years at Evin, the situation in the prison is extremely dire. Ashoori was arrested in 2017 while visiting his mother in Iran, on charges of “spying for Israel”. He spent two years in the section of the jail where Iranian authorities said the fire broke out. Ashoori described the squalid conditions and abuse he suffered during his detainment in ward 7, hall 12, of Evin prison. Up to 70 people were housed in hall 12 in four rooms, he added.
Shahzad Dana’s detention in Evin prison is a reminder of the impunity granted to prison officials in Iran who subject those in their custody to torture and other cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment. The leaked surveillance footage from Evin prison showing appalling abuse of prisoners serves as a chilling reminder of the situation. Amnesty International has called for an independent investigation into the human rights abuses at Evin prison.
The detention of Shahzad Dana in Evin prison is a grave injustice and a violation of human rights. The international community must take action to ensure that he is released immediately and unconditionally.
References:
DW. (2022, October 20). A look inside Iran’s notorious Evin prison. DW(2023, June 1). Trending: Arrest Of Iranian Aerospace Engineer Shahzad Dana In Iran. All You Need To Know. 2rvisionnews.com.Amnesty International. (2021, August 9). Iran: Leaked video footage from Evin prison offers rare glimpse of cruelty against prisoners. Amnesty International.