Breathing in Confinement

8 June 2026
News Category: Prisoners

Breathing in Confinement: Authorities at Zahedan Central Prison have prevented the transfer of Abdolhadi Shahouzehi, a Baluch political prisoner, to a specialist medical centre for treatment of a serious eye condition.

According to Breathing in Confinement, the news outlet of the Prisoners’ Rights League in Iran, Abdolhadi Shahouzehi, who is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence, sustained severe injuries to his head and face during detention, including as a result of severe physical abuse during interrogation. One of his eyes was significantly damaged. According to informed sources, the condition has worsened in recent years and now carries a serious risk of complete loss of vision.

He was arrested on 8 March 2020 by agents of the Intelligence Department in Zahedan and was subsequently convicted by the Revolutionary Court on charges including “acting against national security” and “membership in groups opposed to the state.”

In recent months, specialist and subspecialist ophthalmologists have examined him and confirmed the need for surgery and continued treatment at a specialist medical centre outside the prison. The necessary medical authorisations have reportedly been issued. However, prison authorities have stated that the transfer has been halted on the orders of higher authorities.

Doctors have warned that further delay in treatment could result in complete blindness. This is despite legal principles and international obligations, including prisoners’ right to adequate medical care, under which failure to provide necessary treatment may constitute a violation of prisoners’ fundamental rights.

Despite the urgent need for medical intervention, this prisoner has so far been denied access to specialist treatment outside the prison.