An Iranian protester named Javad Rouhi, 31, died under suspicious circumstances on August 31, 2023, in northern Iran, causing concern about his treatment, according to Human Rights Watch. He had been tortured following his arrest during the widespread protests that erupted in Iran in September 2022 and was convicted two months later after an unfair trial.
On that day, Nowshahr prison in Mazadanran province, north of Tehran, issued a statement that Rouhi had been transferred to a hospital early that morning “following a concussion” but died despite receiving medical assistance. The statement said the Prosecutor’s Office was investigating his death. Rouhi’s lawyer confirmed his death in a tweet. A knowledgeable source said government security forces have pressured the family to arrange a private burial.
Human Rights Watch called for an international inquiry into Rouhi’s death. The organization obtained information that Rouhi had a mental health condition and had sought in-patient treatment in a hospital before. Revolutionary Guard members tortured Rouhi while he was in detention, according to an informed source.
Iranian authorities’ violations of due process rights and fair trial standards as well as the torture and ill-treatment of detainees have been systemic features of the government’s crackdown against anti-government protests, Human Rights Watch said.
Amnesty International has documented at least 72 deaths in Iranian prisons since January 2010. Iranian authorities have persistently refused to conduct transparent investigations in the deaths, nor have they held any official accountable.
The United Nations Principles on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-Legal, Arbitrary, and Summary Executions call for the “thorough, prompt and impartial investigation” of all suspicious deaths in custody. The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran, should investigate Rouhi’s death in custody, Human Rights Watch said.