Signs of Torture on the Body of Payman Golvani; Claims from the Prosecutor of Mahabad: 'He Died Due to Illness'

While judicial officials in Mahabad claim that Payman Golvani died in prison 'due to illness', the family of this prisoner emphasized to Voice of America that they have seen 'signs of torture on his body.' Dr. Mohsen Sohrabi, a member of the Kurdish Volunteer Physicians Organization and the AIFA Association, stated in an interview with Manocher Pordel from the Persian section of Voice of America that 'what we saw in the photos indicates that Payman Golvani was tortured' and that he 'may have been restrained with something' as 'bruising on his ankle is evident.' He emphasized the 'skull fracture' of Payman Golvani and that 'imaging must be done for a definitive diagnosis,' citing accounts from his relatives, stating: 'Payman became less conscious under torture and was transferred to the hospital where he died a few days later.' Additionally, based on photos that the Persian section of Voice of America has of the lifeless body of this prisoner, multiple signs of beating and bruising are observed on Payman Golvani's body. Following reports about the 'death under torture' of a 'Kurdish political prisoner', Mehrab Pourakbar, the public and revolutionary prosecutor of Mahabad, claimed that 'Payman Mam Ahmad Golvani' was arrested on charges of 'fraud' and that the cause of his death was 'an illness related to blood plasma.' According to Hamshahri Online, Pourakbar claimed that Mr. Golvani was in Urmia prison until 'July 14' and was hospitalized on that day 'due to illness' and 'died on July 18 due to the severity of the illness.' The prosecutor's claims come despite images in the possession of the Persian section of Voice of America showing signs of torture on Payman Golvani's body. Warning: This image may be distressing to you. To view, click here. Signs of torture on Payman Golvani's body. Warning: This image may be distressing to you - to view, click here. Signs of torture on Payman Golvani's body. Based on these photos received by Voice of America, signs of bruising and wounds are seen all over the body, including the eyes, legs, back, hands, and face of this prisoner who died in custody. Additionally, during washing, blood is seen flowing from his lifeless body. In previous reports, Payman Golvani was introduced as a 'Kurdish political activist' who died in the 'detention center of the Information Office' in Urmia on charges of 'membership in one of the Kurdish parties.' The Hengaw website reported that 'security agents announced the reason for his coma' as 'falling from a height.' At the same time as Payman Golvani's burial, a security atmosphere prevailed in the city of Mahabad, and protesters chanted slogans including 'Women, Life, Freedom' and 'Martyrs Never Die' in Kurdish.