At least 18 Kurdish political prisoners have been transferred without prior notice from Mahabad Prison to Miandoab Prison, amid heightened security measures following nearby military strikes.
“On Tuesday, 3 March 2026, following the bombing of a military centre near Mahabad Prison, prisoners protested after the ward doors had been locked on them. The protest was met with the presence of special forces who fired tear gas. Following the protest, around 100 prisoners convicted of ordinary crimes and several political prisoners serving short sentences were granted 15 days’ leave or temporarily released on bail or business licence guarantees”, an informed source told the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN).
At least 18 political prisoners, most serving sentences of more than 10 years, were moved to the prison yard on 4 March, and after several hours, were taken in a convoy escorted by special forces to Miandoab Prison.
Domestic law and international standards require authorities during wartime to protect prisoners’ lives by granting temporary release or allowing release on guarantees regardless of the charges against them.
Transferring prisoners between facilities under wartime conditions, particularly while Mahabad and surrounding areas are subjected to daily air strikes by US and Israeli military aircraft, places their lives at serious risk.
KHRN has learned that security conditions across prisons in Kurdistan have intensified sharply in the past five days amid escalating aerial bombardments, and the number of guard officers stationed inside prison wards has increased severalfold, ward doors have been locked, and prisoners have been barred from accessing facilities such as the gym and library.
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces have also been deployed within the grounds of Orumiyeh Central Prison.
During the same period, hundreds of prisoners, mainly those convicted of ordinary crimes, have been conditionally released or granted 15 days’ leave on bail or business licence guarantees.
