Ward on Fire in Qarchak Women’s Prison After Shots Heard

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, prison guards have attacked women prisoners at Qarchak women’s prison in Karaj. Shots have been heard in the prison. There are also unconfirmed reports of a riot at the prison. Another report indicates that one of the guards’ arm was broken after attacking the prisoners.

According to eyewitnesses, there is smoke coming out of Ward 5 of the prison. The prison houses women convicted of non-political crimes. The majority have drug convictions. The prison building was previously used to house chickens. In May 2011, hundreds of political and ordinary crime prisoners were transferred to Qarchak from Gohardasht (Rajai Shahr) and Evin prisons.

In recent years, the judiciary has been sending female political prisoners there as punishment due to its dire conditions. The prison consists of 11 wards, including seven general wards, quarantine, solitary confinement and two health wards.