A Baloch Prisoner 'Deprived of Treatment' Dies

Mahmoud Dahmarde, a Baloch prisoner sentenced to death, died of a heart attack after being denied medical treatment despite his illness and continuous requests from his relatives. According to 'Hal Vash', which primarily focuses on news from Sistan and Baluchestan province, this 41-year-old father of five was transferred to a hospital after suffering a heart attack but ultimately passed away. Hal Vash reports that Mr. Dahmarde suffered from diabetes and required urgent medical attention due to a depression in his left shoulder, but reports from his relatives indicate that the family's persistent efforts to send him to a hospital outside the prison for proper treatment were met with opposition from the Islamic Republic's judicial authorities, leading to his deprivation of treatment. According to the report, prison officials responded to the family's inquiries by stating, 'He is sentenced to death and will ultimately be executed; what need does he have for treatment?' Mr. Dahmarde was arrested on January 1, 2020, by agents of the Zabol Intelligence Department on charges of murder and was transferred to Zabol prison after six months. Agents of the Zabol Intelligence Department stormed Mr. Dahmarde's home on January 1, 2020, and arrested him on murder charges 'without presenting a warrant', and according to published reports, he was subjected to severe torture multiple times until he was forced to confess and accept the murder charge. After six months, this prisoner was transferred to Taqzadi Zabol prison and received a death sentence. The Iran Human Rights Organization states, 'The lack of classification for murder in Iran leads to any type of murder, regardless of severity and motive, resulting in a death sentence.' On October 1, the organization reported that at least 12 prisoners, including two Baloch prisoners, have been sentenced to death or qisas (retribution) for various charges such as 'moharebeh' (waging war against God), drug-related charges, 'rape', or 'murder'. Data and statistics from Amnesty International indicate that the Islamic Republic authorities use the death penalty as a tool for repression and intimidation of the people, including the persecuted Baloch minority, who are disproportionately affected by executions relative to their population size. The deprivation of medical care and visitation continues; ongoing 'punitive' measures against political prisoners. Rafiq Salimi, a imprisoned labor activist, is deprived of access to treatment and leave. Continued pressure on three political prisoners; deprivation of the right to medical care, visitation with lawyers and family, and release on leave. The sixth day of Serwan Ahmad's hunger strike; Evin prison officials oppose the medical leave of this children's rights activist.