Morgan Ortagus Reacts to Transfer of Nasrin Sotoudeh from Evin Prison to Qarchak Prison

The U.S. State Department spokeswoman reacted to the transfer of Nasrin Sotoudeh, a lawyer and human rights defender, from Evin Prison to Qarchak Prison in Varamin.

Morgan Ortagus wrote on Thursday, October 23, in a tweet: Instead of providing Nasrin Sotoudeh with immediate access to medical services, the Iranian regime has transferred her to the notorious Qarchak Prison, which is known for flagrant human rights violations.

Ms. Ortagus added: Nasrin and many other prisoners of conscience are an inspiration to all of us in the face of this disregard for human dignity.

Reza Khandan, Nasrin Sotoudeh’s husband, told Voice of America on Wednesday, October 21: “Officials stationed in Evin Prison transferred Nasrin Sotoudeh on Tuesday, October 20, without notice, through deception and trickery, allegedly to send her to a hospital outside the prison, to Qarchak Prison in Varamin, which is known as a women’s prison. Ms. Sotoudeh was given no explanation regarding the reason for her transfer to this prison.”

Mr. Khandan added: “This transfer was carried out through deception and under the guise of transfer to a hospital, while Ms. Sotoudeh did not take any of her belongings, including clothes and other personal items that she had in Evin Prison, with her to Qarchak Prison.”

Robert Menendez, a senior U.S. senator, also announced on September 10 on Twitter that Nasrin Sotoudeh, an Iranian human rights defender, should never have been imprisoned in the first place. He continued in his Twitter message, writing that Iran should immediately and unconditionally release Nasrin Sotoudeh and end her hunger strike before her condition deteriorates further.

Previously, the U.S. State Department’s Office of Women’s Affairs also expressed deep concern for Nasrin Sotoudeh’s health and called on the Iranian regime to release this imprisoned human rights lawyer and all political prisoners who have been wrongfully detained.