The Iranian occupation’s secret and public prisons in Ahwaz: aSystem of torture and oppression

Since the occupation of Ahwaz in 1925, the Iranian regime has built numerous prisons and secret detention centers used by occupation forces to torture Ahwazi detainees. These facilities were established to shackle the Ahwazi people, break them psychologically and physically, and crush their already violated human dignity.

Prisons in Ahwaz: Between Secrecy and Publicity
The prisons in Ahwaz can be categorized into two main types: secret detention centers and public prisons. The secret detention centers represent the worst forms of torture and abuse, where political prisoners, cultural activists, and freedom fighters endure the most severe forms of suffering away from media scrutiny. These detention centers are a living hell, where Ahwazi prisoners suffer in silence.

On the other hand, public prisons, while less secretive, are no less brutal. One of the most infamous is Karun Prison, one of the oldest and most well-known prisons in Ahwaz. Over the years, it became a site of immense suffering and was notorious for the regime’s brutal treatment of political prisoners. Although Karun Prison was eventually shut down, its dark legacy remains deeply ingrained in the memory of the Ahwazi people. Additionally, Howeira (Sepidar) Prison and **Sheyban Prison** contribute to the grim reality of incarceration in Ahwaz.

Sheyban Prison: A Human Slaughterhouse
Located in a remote area, Sheyban Prison is one of the most notorious prisons in Ahwaz. It houses a large number of political detainees and cultural activists.

The prison consists of nine wards, including two large ones, wards 6 and 7, where the majority of political prisoners are held. Inside, detainees endure severe violations of health and food standards, posing serious threats to their well-being.

Methods of Torture in Iranian Prisons
The Iranian regime employs a variety of physical and psychological torture techniques to crush Ahwazi detainees.

Psychological Torture:
Psychological torture is another means of breaking detainees’ spirits. Prison authorities use threats totorture or interrogate family members pushing prisoners into a state of mental collapse. Psychological pressure is also exerted by manipulating prisoners into distrusting their friends and family, leading to extreme isolation.

Solitary Confinement: Slow Death
One of the most harrowing forms of torture inflicted on Ahwazi detainees is solitary confinement, where prisoners are completely cut off from the outside world.

This period of isolation can last for weeks or even months, causing severe psychological damage. Prisoners lose their sense of time and reality, making solitary confinement in Ahwaz akin to slow death.