Exclusive: Systematic Discrimination and Denial of Furlough for Female Political and Ideological Prisoners in Isfahan's Dowlatabad Prison
While reports indicate that temporary release (furlough) extensions are regularly granted to various non-political inmates across Iranian prisons, political and ideological prisoners remain systematically deprived of this basic right. According to an exclusive report obtained by Tavaana, this discriminatory policy is being heavily enforced against female political and religious detainees at Dowlatabad Prison in Isfahan, compounding the psychological pressure on both the prisoners and their families.
Targeted Exclusion of Baha'i Detainees
Since February 28, 2026, numerous non-political convicts who were able to post bail have been granted monthly renewable furloughs. In stark contrast, this process has entirely excluded political and ideological prisoners.
Among those denied are ten Baha'i women currently held in the financial crimes ward of Dowlatabad Prison:
• Neda Badakhsh
• Arezoo Sobhanian
• Parastoo Hakim
• Mojgan Shahrezaei
• Yeganeh Rouhbakhsh
• Bahareh Lotfi
• Shana Shoghifar
• Negin Khademi
• Neda Emadi
• Parva Behdad
According to an informed source, these ten women were only permitted a brief, mandatory three-day furlough approximately two weeks ago, with no further extensions allowed.
Heavy Sentences for Protesters and Dissidents
Dowlatabad Prison also houses several women arrested in connection with the recent 12-day war and its subsequent protests. Many of these individuals are serving severe sentences or are being held under prolonged, indefinite detention:
• Zahra Kabiri: A mother of two children, sentenced to 10 years in prison by Judge Hemmatnejad.
• Masoumeh Sarebanzadeh & Tara Sarebanzadeh: The mother and daughter are serving sentences of five years and six months, respectively.
• Yalda Emamdoost, Samira Layeghi, & Maryam Javadi: Each sentenced to seven and a half years in prison on charges of membership in the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK).
• Azadeh Jafari: Serving a one-year prison sentence.
• Zahra Khayati: Facing a two-year prison term.
Additionally, Shamim Baharzadeh and Mahshad Keshani remain imprisoned under a 2023 case. Both were sentenced to six months of active imprisonment and a four-and-a-half-year suspended sentence. Keshani also faces a separate, open judicial case regarding her participation in the January protests.
Deliberate Placement in Violent Wards
The source further revealed to Tavaana that many of these political and religious dissidents are intentionally held in wards designated for high-risk and violent crimes. These wards suffer from severe overcrowding, forcing many political prisoners to sleep on the floor (kaf-khab). This environment is entirely inappropriate and dangerous for prisoners of conscience, presenting continuous safety and health risks.
The Psychological Toll on Families
The systematic denial of furloughs, combined with sub-standard living conditions and prolonged legal limbo, forms a calculated campaign of state pressure. This retaliatory treatment extends beyond the prison walls, inflicting severe emotional attrition and chronic anxiety on the families who are left waiting for months and often years for any sign of judicial fairness.
#HumanRights
#DowlatabadPrison
#PoliticalPrisoners
#BahaiRights
@Tavaana_TavaanaTech
While reports indicate that temporary release (furlough) extensions are regularly granted to various non-political inmates across Iranian prisons, political and ideological prisoners remain systematically deprived of this basic right. According to an exclusive report obtained by Tavaana, this discriminatory policy is being heavily enforced against female political and religious detainees at Dowlatabad Prison in Isfahan, compounding the psychological pressure on both the prisoners and their families.
Targeted Exclusion of Baha'i Detainees
Since February 28, 2026, numerous non-political convicts who were able to post bail have been granted monthly renewable furloughs. In stark contrast, this process has entirely excluded political and ideological prisoners.
Among those denied are ten Baha'i women currently held in the financial crimes ward of Dowlatabad Prison:
• Neda Badakhsh
• Arezoo Sobhanian
• Parastoo Hakim
• Mojgan Shahrezaei
• Yeganeh Rouhbakhsh
• Bahareh Lotfi
• Shana Shoghifar
• Negin Khademi
• Neda Emadi
• Parva Behdad
According to an informed source, these ten women were only permitted a brief, mandatory three-day furlough approximately two weeks ago, with no further extensions allowed.
Heavy Sentences for Protesters and Dissidents
Dowlatabad Prison also houses several women arrested in connection with the recent 12-day war and its subsequent protests. Many of these individuals are serving severe sentences or are being held under prolonged, indefinite detention:
• Zahra Kabiri: A mother of two children, sentenced to 10 years in prison by Judge Hemmatnejad.
• Masoumeh Sarebanzadeh & Tara Sarebanzadeh: The mother and daughter are serving sentences of five years and six months, respectively.
• Yalda Emamdoost, Samira Layeghi, & Maryam Javadi: Each sentenced to seven and a half years in prison on charges of membership in the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK).
• Azadeh Jafari: Serving a one-year prison sentence.
• Zahra Khayati: Facing a two-year prison term.
Additionally, Shamim Baharzadeh and Mahshad Keshani remain imprisoned under a 2023 case. Both were sentenced to six months of active imprisonment and a four-and-a-half-year suspended sentence. Keshani also faces a separate, open judicial case regarding her participation in the January protests.
Deliberate Placement in Violent Wards
The source further revealed to Tavaana that many of these political and religious dissidents are intentionally held in wards designated for high-risk and violent crimes. These wards suffer from severe overcrowding, forcing many political prisoners to sleep on the floor (kaf-khab). This environment is entirely inappropriate and dangerous for prisoners of conscience, presenting continuous safety and health risks.
The Psychological Toll on Families
The systematic denial of furloughs, combined with sub-standard living conditions and prolonged legal limbo, forms a calculated campaign of state pressure. This retaliatory treatment extends beyond the prison walls, inflicting severe emotional attrition and chronic anxiety on the families who are left waiting for months and often years for any sign of judicial fairness.
#HumanRights
#DowlatabadPrison
#PoliticalPrisoners
#BahaiRights
@Tavaana_TavaanaTech
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