First Court Session for the Case of 'Quasi-Manslaughter' of Javad Rouhi, Protester Who Died in Nowshahr Prison, Held

Majid Kaveh, a lawyer, announced on Saturday, June 9, that the first session of the trial regarding the quasi-manslaughter case of Javad Rouhi, a protester who died in prison, was held. According to Kaveh's post on 'X', during the court session on June 9, the family of Javad Rouhi withdrew their complaint against the prison guard. However, given the indictment issued against the prison nurse, the court will decide on the charge of 'quasi-manslaughter' according to Article 616 of the Islamic Penal Code. In this case, an indictment was issued against the prison nurse of Nowshahr for 'quasi-manslaughter' and against the prison guard for failing to convey the grievances of the inmates to the competent authorities. Earlier, Rouhi's lawyer had reported in December 2023 that a case had been opened against the head and nurse of Nowshahr prison for 'murder' of his client, stating that the forensic report on Rouhi's death indicated 'drug interactions related to repeated injections by the nurse in the prison infirmary hours before his death.' On September 1 of this year, a day after Rouhi's death was confirmed in the prison infirmary, political and legal activists explicitly spoke of his murder and called for investigations into the details of his death. In contrast, local officials in Nowshahr attempted to justify his death, citing 'addiction' and his medical history. The Iran Human Rights Organization reported on Saturday, September 2, 2023, citing an informed source, that while the cause of Javad Rouhi's death was listed as 'cardiac arrest' on the forensic report, officials from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps verbally announced the cause of death as 'stroke.' Javad Rouhi had been in temporary detention in Nowshahr prison since 'September 21, 2022', related to protests in the second half of 2022 in Mazandaran. He had been sentenced to death three times, but this sentence was later overturned by the Supreme Court. However, in mid-August, his lawyer stated that this case was 'lost in a strange administrative loop.' A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department expressed horror at Rouhi's death and reports of his torture, stating that Rouhi's death is the latest example of the Islamic Republic's efforts to 'create fear' among the Iranian people and 'suppress any dissent.' In response to Rouhi's 'suspicious death' in prison, Amnesty International issued a statement calling for an 'investigation and inquiry' and conducting 'independent investigations' into the cause of death of this political prisoner. In a statement on September 1, 2023, Amnesty International accused Iranian officials of victimizing Rouhi with a series of 'international crimes,' including 'enforced disappearance,' 'solitary confinement,' and 'torture,' to force him into 'coerced confession.' The severe physical and psychological torture of Javad Rouhi in prison was revealed through the writings of this protester. Conflicting statements about the cause of Javad Rouhi's death; a 'commitment' was taken from the family before the body was handed over. Pegah Bani Hashemi stated: the judiciary's admission that Javad Rouhi had seizures means his imprisonment was illegal. The reaffirmation of death sentences for several protesters; two experts told VOA: it aims to 'intimidate' society. Exclusive: 'Secret' surgery of a political prisoner in Ahvaz; Mousa Barzin: it violates fundamental human rights principles. Complaints against the head and nurse of Nowshahr prison for 'murder' of Javad Rouhi. Publication of writings from Javad Rouhi, who recently passed away; a description of his abuse and torture. Changes in the memorial ceremony for Javad Rouhi under pressure from government agencies. Conflicting statements about the cause of Javad Rouhi's death; a 'commitment' was taken from the family before the body was handed over. The U.S. called Javad Rouhi's death 'horrific' and the Islamic Republic's efforts to 'create fear' among the Iranian people.