Iran Detains Tens of Thousands in Secret ‘Black Box’ Facilities Amid Rising Executions
TEHRAN, Iran — Iranian authorities are reportedly operating clandestine detention centers known as “black box” sites, where tens of thousands of protesters and political prisoners are held without judicial oversight or official records, according to recent investigations. These secret facilities, reminiscent of prison camps from the 1980s, have drawn condemnation from human rights advocates amid a surge in executions and a brutal crackdown on dissent across the country.
The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), an opposition group, revealed that these detention sites are modeled on compounds previously used inside Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, west of Tehran. Former prisoners describe inhumane conditions in which detainees, particularly women affiliated with the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK), were confined to coffin-like boxes, subjected to torture, deprived of food and sleep, and forced to maintain squatting positions for extended periods.
Families of those detained in these “black box” sites face the agonizing reality of not knowing the whereabouts or fate of their loved ones. The absence of official documentation and judicial processes has effectively erased these prisoners from public records, fostering an environment of fear and uncertainty.
Human rights organizations have expressed alarm at the escalation of executions and the use of these unofficial detention centers. The United States Department of State has previously highlighted Iran’s pattern of arbitrary detention and enforced disappearances, underscoring the regime’s disregard for international human rights norms. The 2025 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices detail similar abuses and call for increased international scrutiny.
Amid ongoing protests sparked by economic hardship and political repression, Iranian security forces have intensified their efforts to silence opposition. The use of “black box” detention sites represents a continuation of repressive tactics dating back to the 1980s, when mass detentions and executions were widespread.
Experts point to the historical significance of Ghezel Hesar Prison, where these secret compounds were first established. The prison has long been notorious for harsh treatment of political prisoners. The Amnesty International has documented abuses in such facilities, emphasizing the regime’s use of fear to maintain control.
International bodies, including the United Nations Human Rights Office, have called on Iran to end arbitrary detentions and provide transparency regarding detainees’ status. However, the Iranian government continues to deny access to independent monitors and refuses to acknowledge the existence of these secret detention centers.
The escalation of executions in Iran has further intensified global concern. The Human Rights Watch 2026 World Report highlights the spike in death sentences, often following unfair trials or no trial at all, particularly targeting protesters and political dissidents.
As Iran’s crackdown deepens, the plight of those held in “black box” detention sites remains shrouded in secrecy. Families and advocates continue to demand accountability and an end to the regime’s use of extrajudicial detention and torture. The international community faces mounting pressure to respond to these grave human rights violations amid the country’s ongoing turmoil.
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