Another Death in Custody: Mohammad Mirmousavi

The death of a 36-year-old driver who died from torture in police custody in Iran has ignited condemnation and calls for justice.

Seyyed Mohammad Mirmousavi was last seen alive on the evening of August 24 when he was arrested by police and taken a police station in northern Langerud.

Four days later, his body, marked with signs of beating, was handed over to his family, adding his name to the growing list of individuals who have died due to torture in various military or security detention centers of the Islamic Republic.

In response to Mirmousavi's death, the Islamic Republic initially attempted to conceal his identity and threatened his family. However, after the media exposed the crime, the government shifted its strategy, announcing the issuance of arrest warrants for five police officers and forming a committee to investigate the matter.

Despite the formation of such committees in the past, the results of their investigations have rarely been made public.

Another Death in Police Custody

Mirmousavi, a 36-year-old driver, was arrested by police officers during an altercation on August 24. On August 28, 2024, images of his bloody body being washed were published by human rights sources, revealing evidence of severe torture and assault.

In a video showing the washing of Mirmousavi's body, a person points on his back, stating, "These places are pierced." One of the photos also shows autopsy marks on Mirmousavi's chest, though no official forensic report has been released.

Hirkani, a human rights and environmental media outlet in Alborz province, obtained documents indicating that Mirmousavi's hands were tied for hours.

Journalist Pouyan Khoshal reported that after Mirmousavi's arrest, he was taken to an area behind a police station, where there were no security or surveillance cameras. There, police officers and soldiers severely beat him.

Following this brutal beating, Mirmousavi was transferred to the Lahijan Police Headquarters to spend the night. That night, he told officers that he was feeling unwell and needed medical attention, but his pleas were ignored. According to Khoshal, Mirmousavi ultimately died from internal bleeding.

Before Mirmousavi's body was handed over, his family was pressured by security authorities to remain silent. Hirkani reported that the prosecutor of northern Langarud city threatened the family, warning them against disclosing any information and cautioning that they would face legal action and arrest if they did.

As images of Mirmousavi's body circulated, Borna news agency reported, citing the public prosecutor and revolutionary court of Lahijan, that a temporary arrest warrant had been issued for five police officers in connection with the death of a detainee under police custody.

After the news of Mirmousavi's death in police custody, several former political prisoners shared their experiences of being beaten in detention.

Journalists, human rights activists, and lawyers protested the violent practices in police detention centers, calling for legal reforms.

In a statement released on Friday, the police command information center attributed Mirmousavi's death to "the excitement caused by the altercation between the deceased Mirmousavi and the police officers, the lack of control of anger and emotions of some employees, and indifference to the situation of the accused."

Testimonies of Former Political Prisoners

Mohammad Habibi, a trade union activist and spokesperson for the Tehran Teachers' Trade Union Center, and a former political prisoner, said: "During my time in Greater Tehran prison, I saw many general crime prisoners with broken arms and legs and bruised bodies being returned to prison."

Journalist and former political prisoner Atafeh Nabavi shared a story about a 25-year-old female prisoner accused of murder. She wrote: "She was beaten so severely to force a confession that all her teeth were crushed. Due to the days of torture, she appeared as if she were 50 years old."

Human rights activist and former political prisoner Atena Daemi also said: "In Qarchak and Lakan prisons, I witnessed many cases of general crime prisoners being brutally tortured and then silenced with threats and intimidation."

Promises of Investigation

Following the news of Mirmousavi's death, the President of Iran, the Interior Minister, and the Chief of Police ordered the formation of a special committee to investigate and report on the incident.

According to IRNA, Iran's state news agency, a delegation led by the Deputy Interior Minister arrived in Rasht on August 29, and a meeting of the Provincial Security Council was held.

The Islamic Republic's official media reported that Interior Minister Iskander Momeni appointed and dispatched a special investigation team to investigate the matter. The Iranian Police Information Center also announced that Ahmadreza Radan, the Chief of Police, had issued a special order to investigate the death.

Deaths of Prisoners

Suspicious deaths and killings of prisoners and detainees by various security and law enforcement agencies of the Islamic Republic have a long and troubling history.

The death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the Morality Police in September 2022 sparked a wave of nationwide protests in Iran, which persisted for months.

Another case is that of Javad Rouhi, a detained protester from the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, who died in Nowshahr prison in August 2023 after reportedly suffering a "seizure." The judiciary attributed his death to "drug interference."

Similarly, Alireza Shirmohammad Ali, detained during the November 2018 protests, was killed in Fashafouyeh prison.

During the 2017 protests, detainees Sina Ghanbari, Saro Ghahramani, Vahid Heydari, and Kianosh Zandi either died in custody or under suspicious circumstances.

In addition, Mohsen Rouholamini, Mohammad Kamrani, and Amir Javadifar, who were detained during the 2009 Green Movement, died at the Kahrizak detention center.

Legal Rights of the Arrested

Iranian law is explicit regarding the rights of arrested individuals. A lawyer explained to IranWire: "The law is clear that the responsibility for protecting the life and health of arrested persons rests with the agency that detained them. If the police arrest someone, it is their responsibility to ensure that person’s life and health."

According to this lawyer, Article 32 of the "Executive Regulations of the Detention Centers of the Islamic Republic of Iran Police Force" specifies that detention center authorities must make every effort to preserve the life and health of detainees and immediately report any incidents to judicial authorities.

Additionally, Article 570 of the Islamic Penal Code states that any officer who violates the law, deprives individuals of their freedom, or harms a detained person can be prosecuted and punished.

The lawyer emphasized: "If a detainee suffers harm due to negligence or the authorities' failure to perform these duties, those responsible should be held accountable and punished."

He advised that if a detainee experiences any physical or verbal violence, they should inform their lawyer as soon as possible. "Detainees should exercise their right to visit a forensic medical examiner to document injuries and insist on it," he said.

Such actions can help detainees who have suffered violence to file complaints and pursue cases against police officers responsible for the abuse.