Iran's president has ordered an investigation into the death of a man in custody following allegations of torture by police officers in the country's north. The deceased, identified as a 36-year-old man from Lahijan in Gilan province, was arrested after a street brawl and subsequently died while in custody.
The reformist President, who campaigned on a promise to address such incidents, took action in response to the latest fatality. This comes after the high-profile case of Mahsa Amini in 2022, which sparked nationwide protests after she died in custody of the morality police.
Five police officers have been temporarily detained as the investigation unfolds. Activists claim that the victim, a member of the Gilak minority, was severely beaten and suffered fatal injuries while detained at a police station in Langarud.
Rights group Hengaw released a video showing the victim's back covered in blood and wounds, alleging that he was killed under torture with his hands and feet tied. They further stated that the victim's family had faced pressure from Iranian security agencies to keep the incident quiet.
Inter-communal tensions are expected to rise following this incident, as the Gilak minority, who have their own language and reside mainly in northern provinces, mourn the loss of one of their own. This case adds to a series of documented deaths in security force custody, particularly in the aftermath of mass protests against the country's Shiite theocracy.
United Nations investigators previously held Iran responsible for the death of Mahsa Amini, citing physical violence as the cause of her demise. The investigation into the recent death aims to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident and hold those responsible accountable.
