As nationwide protests and strikes by merchants and professional guilds continue to spread across Iran, two political prisoners—Asadollah Hadi from Qezel Hesar Prison and Shahin Zoghi Tabar from Evin Prison—have issued separate messages expressing solidarity with the uprising and sharply condemning Iran’s ruling system. Their statements reflect a broader convergence between street protests and resistance voices from inside Iran’s prisons.
Asadollah Hadi: “A Clear Line Against Both Shah and Mullahs”
In a message dated December 29, 2025, from Ward 4 of Qezel Hesar Prison, political prisoner Asadollah Hadi addressed Iran’s merchants, workers, and protesting social groups, explicitly aligning himself with the ongoing strikes and demonstrations.
He praised the protesters for rejecting all forms of dictatorship, stating: “You have loudly proclaimed your clear line against both Mullahs and Shah, and you are moving forward to shape a new blueprint for a democratic Iran.”
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Message from Evin Prison
Political prisoner Shahin Zoghitabar sends a powerful call to the youth of #Iran via Iran NTV (Simay Azadi)
"I feel more free than ever before, for I see fighting dictatorship as true freedom." pic.twitter.com/VdIHa3JfQG— SIMAY AZADI TV (@en_simayazadi) January 2, 2026
Hadi emphasized the depth of social collapse caused by decades of authoritarian rule, writing of merchants “whose backs have been broken” and whose livelihoods have been destroyed over 47 years of repression. He extended his support to workers, farmers, retirees, teachers, doctors, students, and youth, describing them as generations whose futures have been “pre-sold” by the ruling system.
Commending the courage of those confronting repression, he wrote: “Blessed is your dignity and resolve for standing today against the oppression of this anti-people regime… with slogans of ‘Death to the oppressor, whether Shah or Supreme Leader.’”
Referencing Massoud Rajavi, Hadi framed the protests as approaching a decisive moment: “We political prisoners know well that, as Brother Massoud said, only one step remains to uprising—a step that must be realized through every sacrifice.”
He concluded by affirming unwavering solidarity until, in his words, “the dawn of freedom for our beloved homeland, Iran.”
Shahin Zoghi Tabar: “Resistance Is Our Only Capital”
In a separate message from Evin Prison, political prisoner Shahin Zoghi Tabar addressed what he called the “brave and honorable people of Iran,” describing the news of the uprising as a source of inner liberation even behind prison walls:
“When I heard about your uprising from inside Evin Prison, I felt freer than ever before, because I consider resistance against dictatorship the highest form of freedom.”
Zoghi Tabar offered a stark characterization of the ruling system: “The regime ruling Iran is neither a republic nor Islamic, but a system of religious fascism that understands only the language of force, weapons, and fire.”
Addressing protesting youth and what he referred to as “rebellious centers,” he underscored the strategic impact of street protests: “Your presence on the streets shifts the balance of power against the clerical dictatorship.”
Invoking past uprisings, he argued that sustained resistance has tangible consequences, pointing to the post-2019 period as a turning point for the regime’s regional posture.
He asserted that the divide between the people and the ruling system is irreparable:
“From Fatemeh Amini to Mahsa Amini, there is an ocean of blood between us and the dictatorship.”
Zoghi Tabar concluded with an unequivocal declaration of alignment with the protests:
“I, Shahin Zoghi Tabar, political prisoner of Evin Prison, ask you to use every moment and every second. Seize the regime’s centers of repression… We political prisoners stand with you until our last breath.”
His message closed with the slogan: “Death to Khamenei, hail to freedom.”
