Amnesty International: The Death of Javad Rouhi is Suspicious and a 'Fact-Finding Committee' Should Be Formed

In response to the 'suspicious death' of Javad Rouhi in prison, Amnesty International on Thursday issued a statement calling for an 'investigation' and 'independent inquiries' into the cause of death of this political prisoner. In the statement dated August 30, 2023, Iranian officials are accused of victimizing Javad Rouhi with a series of 'international crimes,' including 'enforced disappearance,' 'solitary confinement,' and 'torture,' to force him into 'coerced confessions.' The organization condemned the 'suspicious death' of this 'political prisoner' in the Islamic Republic, deeming it indicative of the 'abhorrent violation of the right to life under the Islamic Republic.' Previously, Amnesty International had accused 'Revolutionary Guard agents' of subjecting Javad Rouhi to various physical and psychological tortures in solitary confinement, including flogging, threats of rape, and mock executions. In a prior statement, Javad Rouhi's lawyer emphasized in court that a video does not prove that he was involved in inciting or participating in the widespread fire and that his 'confessions' were obtained under pressure and coercion, and issuing death sentences for such crimes clearly violates the 'right to life' under 'international law.' Earlier, Iran Human Rights had warned that Javad Rouhi was at 'risk of execution' following 'severely unfair' trials related to the protests in Nowshahr. Iran Human Rights also emphasized the 'suspicious nature' of Javad Rouhi's death, calling for a 'UN fact-finding mission' to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of this political prisoner in Iran. The Associated Press also reported on Thursday regarding the suspicious death of Javad Rouhi in the Islamic Republic's prison, stating: 'As the anniversary of the beginning of the nationwide uprising in Iran approaches, Iranian officials have increased arrests and intensified political repression.' Previously, Voice of America reported that Javad Rouhi — a protester who was arrested in connection with the protests in the second half of 2022 in Mazandaran and sentenced to death three times — 'died after being transferred to the hospital.' The Islamic Republic's judiciary-affiliated news agency, Mizan, claimed that Javad Rouhi was transferred to Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Nowshahr early Thursday 'due to seizures and subsequently passed away.' However, opponents and many users on social media claim he was killed in Nowshahr prison. Hossein Ahmadi-Niaz stated: 'Javad Rouhi was killed by a deliberate and premeditated government murder.' On the line: The death of another political prisoner, this time Javad Rouhi. Hamidreza Taghipour stated: 'Javad Rouhi was killed due to physical and psychological torture in prison.' Javad Rouhi, a protester whose death sentence was annulled, died in prison; users are suspicious. A video attributed to Javad Rouhi; his lawyer stated he had only danced and burned a headscarf. Exclusive; a legal expert: The death of Javad Rouhi is a 'deliberate and premeditated state murder.' The 'endless' list of prisoners who have died in custody in the Islamic Republic; Javad Rouhi is the latest case. Javad Rouhi, a detained protester, passed away; some users express doubt about the reason for his death.