Iranwire Exclusive: Faezeh Hashemi Says ‘I Did Not Want to Leave Prison’

Iranwire – Faezeh Hashemi, political activist and daughter of the late Iranian president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, was released from Evin prison on Wednesday.

Evin prison authorities confirmed her parole, though Hashemi herself expressed a lack of desire for release. In an interview with IranWire, she emphasized that she resisted leaving prison but officials forced her out.

Hashemi’s most recent arrest occurred during the nationwide protests in 2022. She was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of “propaganda against the Islamic Republic” and “disturbing public order by participating in unlawful gatherings.”

An open letter Hashemi wrote about the conditions in Evin’s women’s ward sparked significant reactions. In the letter, she described the relationships and behavior among some female prisoners as “fascist,” comparing the dynamics in the prison to the Islamic Republic’s treatment of society.

She concluded with a personal note: “My cousin, who deeply believes in dream interpretations, recently dreamt that I would be killed by fellow prisoners.”

Hashemi has since refused to comment further on the letter, saying that she has already said everything that needed to be said and has been observing the reactions.

Many believe your release is related to the letter you wrote about the prison. What’s your view on that?

It was not unrelated. In my letter, I mentioned my cousin’s dream because I was considering different possibilities. After the letter was published, they called me and suggested that I move to a youth detention center for my safety, but I refused.

The next day, they asked me to apply for parole. I refused again. On the third call, they told me I had to apply for parole, saying, “We’ve been ordered that you should request parole, and it will be approved.” I had applied for parole before, but it was denied. I told them, “You may have orders, but I’m not your employee. I’m not asking for parole because I’m not seeking freedom right now. In fact, this release isn’t in my best interest.”

Every time they asked, I refused, and they would tell me to write down that I disagreed and that I was responsible for anything that happened. So, each time, I wrote, “I do not accept your offer, and I take responsibility for anything that may happen.”

On Wednesday morning, they informed me my leave had been approved. I responded, “I didn’t request leave.” They explained that prisoners with general charges can take leave for three days a month, and I was now classified among general prisoners because my current charge was “insulting sacred things.” They said, “You’ve been on the leave list for a month, and it’s your turn.” I told them, “I don’t want to leave. I don’t see any reason to leave prison right now, and in fact, leaving would harm me. I’m a political figure, and if I leave after the publication of that letter, it will look bad, as it wasn’t my intention to write for my freedom. So, I reject your offers.”

On Wednesday evening, the management office called again. I suspected they wanted to release me because they had already contacted me earlier in the day, and by afternoon, there’s usually no further business. I told them, “I won’t come.” I spoke with the secretary of Mr. Hedayat Farzadi, the director of Evin prison, and told him over the phone, “If there’s something to discuss, let’s do it over the phone.” He replied that Mr. Farzadi doesn’t discuss things on the phone and that I should come in person. I refused again, saying, “You’re trying to release me.” He denied it, saying, “No, we promise you’ll return to prison.” I asked, “Am I supposed to trust your word?” They assured me, so I went.

When I arrived, Mr. Farzadi handed me a letter stating that my parole had been approved. I told him, “I never made such a request.” He said, “Regardless, it’s been approved.” He read the letter, explaining that parole meant I’d be released but under conditions – if I violated any terms, I’d return to prison with double the punishment or whatever the judge ruled.

I told him, “No, I didn’t ask for freedom, and I don’t accept this.” He responded, “It’s no longer in your hands. Once the release order is issued, we’ll be punished if we keep you even a minute longer. We can’t let you go back inside.”

I argued that this wasn’t what we’d agreed upon and that they’d deceived me, but they didn’t budge. In the end, they essentially kicked me out of the prison. They wouldn’t let me go back to my cell; instead, the other inmates gathered my belongings and sent them out to me.

Why did you insist on staying in prison?

In my view, staying in prison is not a badge of honor, but getting out by any means isn’t right either.

I’ve always exercised my rights as a prisoner. For instance, I applied for leave, which was sometimes approved and sometimes denied. When it was time for parole, I applied, but it was rejected by the prosecutor. After I made my statement and heard the reactions from all sides – claims that I wanted to be released because I was exhausted, sick, or because Pezeshkian took office and I want to be released – I no longer wished to leave. None of that was true, and my goal was never to seek freedom through such statements.

Another reason I didn’t want to leave was the situation of my fellow inmates who supported me and protested the prison conditions. I felt it would be wrong to abandon them in that environment. But it didn’t turn out that way. Just like in 2012, when they forced me out of prison, the same thing happened this time. It seems my fate is that every time I go to prison, they eventually have to force me out.

Were you aware of the reactions and criticisms regarding your letter and your release?

Look, I don’t want to delve into the content of the letter anymore. I said everything I needed to, and it had its impact. I’ve seen the reactions, but I won’t discuss the letter further.

As for my release, there have been a range of responses. Some people don’t realize I wasn’t seeking freedom – I resisted, but they still threw me out of prison. Even if they hear that, they probably won’t believe it. Others, driven by malice, criticize me because I dared to speak out and state some truths. They didn’t like what I said, so they tried to twist my words and turn them against me. I anticipated this backlash when I wrote the letter. I knew that writing it would come at a cost, and these reactions are part of that cost.

As you mentioned, parole means that if you engage in certain activities, you might receive double the prison sentence depending on the judge’s ruling. Doesn’t this condition make you more cautious and passive as a political activist?

Look, for me, truth and reality are too important. I can’t deal with lies or things that are unreal. When I spoke against the regime or when I published that letter, it was because of this commitment to truth.

I can’t tolerate anything that contradicts the moral principles and ideals I hold. When I see such things, my first instinct is to raise awareness – not to threaten, but to point out what shouldn’t be happening. For example, I might say, “This shouldn’t happen,” or, “If you’re going to do this, let others act according to their own beliefs.” It’s wrong to suffocate the environment with suppression, claiming that only one group can impose its will and threaten anyone who opposes it. I’ve always stood against that, and I always will. My character doesn’t change, so I don’t think I’ll be silenced.