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According to recent reports, tens of thousands of Iranians are being detained in secretive facilities, often referred to as “black box” detention sites. These locations operate without any judicial oversight or official documentation, leaving families in the dark about the fate of their loved ones.
The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) has raised concerns about these facilities, suggesting they are reminiscent of the notorious prison camps from the 1980s. Human rights advocates are increasingly alarmed as these sites become a focal point amid the ongoing unrest throughout the country.
“Initially, these sites were used during the 1980s in Iran, located within residential compounds at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, just west of Tehran,” a spokesperson elaborated.
The protests in Iran have been marked by significant events, such as the burning of the state tax building on a street in Tehran on January 19, 2026. This image was captured by Majid Asgaripour for WANA (West Asia News Agency) and distributed via Reuters.
The spokesperson further detailed the grim conditions faced by female prisoners linked to the MEK (Mujahedin-e Khalq). These women reportedly endured torture, being forced to live in coffin-like spaces or remain in squatting positions for extended periods, while also being deprived of sleep and food.
“If they spoke, they were beaten. We have heard that similar prisons are being used today that operate outside the formal Iranian prison system,” he said.
Iranian authorities have reportedly been using these unofficial detention sites for interrogation during the protests, where detainees are held without registration or access to legal counsel.
The Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) described the facilities as “among the gravest concerns documented” by the organization.
In a new report, CHRI warned that when detainees are removed from the formal prison system, they effectively disappear into these sites.
Military members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in western Tehran, Iran (Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
There is no paper trail and no legal supervision, leaving individuals highly vulnerable to abuse.
CHRI said the risk of torture, coerced confessions, sexual abuse and deaths in custody inside these facilities is extreme.
Outside the facilities, families are often left traumatized after having to spend days outside courts and prisons that deny holding their children, the report said.
“The precise locations of these black box sites are unknown, which is part of their function,” Safavi said.
Iranian security forces escalated from pellet guns to live ammunition during protests. (Getty)
“This ensures total isolation and no access or contact. Agents inside are able to employ whatever methods they choose, much like at Ghezel Hesar Prison in the 1980s,” he explained.
“The clandestine sites eliminate witnesses and prevent documentation that could lead to leaks,” Safavi said.
The findings come amid reports of escalating executions in Iran following recent protests, during which thousands of people were killed at the hands of the clerical regime.
The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported Monday that at least 17 prisoners were executed across Iran over a two-day period.
The CHRI report came as Iranians living in exile gathered in Europe to protest against the regime and as others commemorated the 40th day since the Jan. 2026 uprising.
At the same time, the HANA Human Rights Organization said that at least 24 children, including a 3-year-old, were killed by direct fire from security forces during nationwide protests.