Iranian authorities continue to hold filmmaker Mina Mashhadi Mahdi in Qarchak Prison
Hengaw – Monday, September 1, 2025
Iranian authorities continue to detain Mina Mashhadi Mahdi, a filmmaker, editor, and actress, in Qarchak Women’s Prison in Varamin under harsh conditions, more than a month after her arrest. Her initial one-month detention order has expired, yet no new ruling has been issued.
According to information obtained by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Mashhadi Mahdi, 46, originally from Yazd and residing in Tehran, remains in difficult conditions in Qarchak Prison.
Her lawyer, Maryam Kian Ersi, confirmed that on August 28, 2025, she was permitted to meet her client for the first time after 35 days of detention. Kian Ersi stated that, despite the expiration of the initial detention order five days earlier, authorities have yet to issue any decision regarding an extension or modification.
Kian Ersi added that, due to the poor quality of prison food and inadequate conditions, Mashhadi Mahdi has lost about eight kilograms. She also reported that 72 female political prisoners are being held in a space of just 140 square meters under unsanitary conditions.
Mashhadi Mahdi was transferred to the general ward of Qarchak Prison on August 4, 2025, where she continues to be held without a clear judicial status following the expiration of her detention order.
She was initially arrested on July 22, 2025, by agents of the Iranian Intelligence Office at her private residence in Tehran, without the presentation of an arrest warrant or explanation of charges.
Mashhadi Mahdi is a documentary filmmaker, editor, and actress whose works include Desert of Belief, Vayu, No, Jalaluddin, Illusion, Where the Wind Blows, Manchester Cargo, and Gosan. Her films have received multiple awards at various festivals.
