Rights Groups Urge UN Probe of Detained Iranian Protester's Death
Human Rights Watch and Norway-based Iran Human Rights on Friday urged a UN probe into the death of detained Javad Rouhi, claiming that he died 'under suspicious circumstances.' He was arrested in September last year during the nationwide protests that followed the death in custody of Mahsa Amini....
Facts
- Human Rights Watch and Norway-based Iran Human Rights on Friday urged a UN probe into the death of detained Javad Rouhi, claiming that he died 'under suspicious circumstances.' He was arrested in September last year during the nationwide protests that followed the death in custody of Mahsa Amini.1
- His death was confirmed by his lawyer and the judiciary-affiliated Mizan outlet, which reported that he was pronounced dead at Shahid Beheshti Hospital after having a seizure on Thursday, according to the official statement of Nowshahr prison's public relations office.2
- Rouhi had been given a triple death sentence over claims that he led anti-government protests in his hometown and burned a copy of the Quran, which he denied. The Supreme Court later overturned this ruling and put him in temporary detention pending re-sentencing.3
- Amnesty International alleges he suffered torture while detained and was forced to confess to charges of blasphemy, inciting people against national security, and destroying public property.3
- While activists are calling for protests to mark the first anniversary of Amini's death on Sept. 16, security agents have allegedly approached relatives of the victims to instruct them to remain silent.4
- The 2022 demonstrations are considered one of the biggest challenges to the Islamic Republic since its establishment in 1979. More than 500 people were reportedly killed and 22K others have allegedly been arrested since the protests.5
Sources: 1The new arab, 2Iranwire, 3BBC News, 4New York Times and 5Associated Press.
Narratives
- Pro-Iran narrative, as provided by Iran front page. Iranian authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to understand what caused Rouhi's death, with an investigator visiting the prison to review cameras and interrogate people present at the scene. Once the final report of the Forensic Medicine Department and this additional investigation are concluded, the results will be announced.
- Anti-Iran narrative, as provided by Radiofreeeurope/radioliberty. It was widely foretold that Rouhi would become another victim of the Tehran regime as he had already been subjected to torture shortly after his arrest and sentenced to capital punishment in a bogus trial that was later overturned. Only an international probe can reveal what exactly happened to him.
