Mariwan Prison; Release of a number of prisoners simultaneously with military attacks on government institutions
March 2, 2026; Since yesterday, March 1, 2026, simultaneously with the joint military attacks by Israel and the United States on the military and government centers of the Islamic Republic of Iran, including in the cities of “Mariwan,” “Urmia,” “Naqadeh,” “Salmas,” and “Kamyaran,” hundreds of prisoners have been temporarily released on bail. Information received by “Kurdpa” indicates that in the Central Prison of the city of “Mariwan,” a number of political prisoners have also been released.
An informed source, while confirming the news of the release of prisoners in the city of “Mariwan,” told “Kurdpa”: The prisoners made no requests, nor did any protests occur; rather, on the morning of March 2, 2026, relevant officials of the prison of the city of “Mariwan,” simultaneously with the start of military attacks on military sites in this city, released political prisoners on bail and opened the doors for general prisoners without any explanation and released them.
Among the released political prisoners is “Arvin Nikpey,” a Kurdish citizen from the village of “Ney” in the city of “Mariwan,” who had presented himself to the prison of this county on January 6, 2026, to begin serving a three-year prison sentence.
This source told “Kurdpa” that it is not clear how many prisoners have been released and whether this decision includes all prisoners or not; however, based on available knowledge and information, a number of political and non-political prisoners have been released.
The Central Prison of the city of “Mariwan” is located next to government-military departments such as the Criminal Investigation Department and the police station.
According to follow-ups by “Kurdpa,” in several other cities of “West Azerbaijan” and “Kurdistan” Provinces, hundreds of prisoners have been temporarily released on bail since yesterday, March 1, 2026. According to these sources, despite the closure of government offices, court officials in these cities specifically informed the families of prisoners that non-political prisoners can be sent on leave until further notice by posting bail.
Following the military clashes of March 1, 2026, the county of “Mariwan” was one of the main centers of attacks and exchange of fire concentrated on strategic and military centers, the most important of which include the Army Garrison (Brigade 328) at the city entrance, the headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on “Musak” Hill and the “Hazrat-e Rasul” Garrison, the Intelligence Department building, and Police Station 11 in the city center.
