Qarchak Varamin Prison— Political prisoner Somayeh Rashidi in critical condition after medical neglect

Hengaw – Friday, September 19, 2025

Somayeh Rashidi, a 42-year-old political prisoner held in Qarchak Varamin Prison, has been transferred to Mofatteh Hospital in Varamin after her health deteriorated severely. Her condition is reported as critical, with doctors describing her prognosis as poor and her level of consciousness very low.

According to information received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Rashidi was moved to hospital on Tuesday, September 6, 2025, after suffering serious health complications.

A source close to her family told Hengaw that Rashidi had long suffered from health problems in prison, but instead of providing proper medical care, prison doctors accused her of “faking illness” and prescribed only sedatives and psychiatric medication. Her condition worsened, leading to seizures. When she experienced seizures, prison guards not only failed to transfer her to the infirmary but also beat her and again accused her of pretending. She was finally transferred to hospital after other prisoners protested.

Rashidi had a pre-existing illness that periodically caused loss of focus and mobility.

She was arrested on April 24, 2025, in Tehran’s Javadiyeh district while writing slogans and was beaten during her arrest. She was later charged with “propaganda against the state.” After two days in detention at Tehran’s Agahi 15 Khordad facility, she was transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison. Following an Israeli strike on Evin, she was among a group of women prisoners transferred to Qarchak Varamin.