Javad Rouhi: Iranian protester dies in jail after avoiding death sentence
BBC NewsSep 06, 2023
Rights Groups Urge UN Probe of Detained Iranian Protester's Death
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The 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.
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.
The Spin
Pro-Iran narrative
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
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.
