The Iranian judiciary has completed the demolition of Gohardasht (Rajai Shahr) Prison in Karaj, following the prison’s closure in August 2023, raising serious concerns about historical evidence.
The Iranian judiciary has completed the Gohardasht Prison demolition in Karaj, raising serious concerns about the destruction of historical evidence. According to Mizan News Agency, authorities completed the demolition in October 2026, following the prison’s closure in August 2023.
Gohardasht Prison played a central role in the 1988 prison massacre, during which thousands of political prisoners lost their lives. However, authorities demolished the site without independent international investigation or forensic documentation. As a result, the destruction threatens crucial evidence, including interrogation rooms, execution sites, and areas used by the Death Commissions.
Former UN Special Rapporteur Javaid Rehman’s 2024 report documented the prison’s role in the massacre. Furthermore, the Swedish trial of Hamid Noury examined events at Gohardasht and resulted in his life sentence. The prison also became notorious for torture, mistreatment, and political repression.
The demolition raises serious concerns under Iranian domestic law and international human rights standards. These include obligations to preserve evidence, investigate unlawful killings, and protect victims’ rights. Relevant frameworks include the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Meanwhile, many victims’ families still lack answers about their loved ones’ deaths and burial locations. The destruction therefore threatens their right to truth and could obstruct future investigations and efforts to secure accountability.