Iran’s new President Masoud Pezeshkian has initiated an investigation into the recent death of a man in police custody, following allegations of torture by activists. This move comes as part of Pezeshkian’s campaign promise to address such incidents and prevent fatalities while in custody. The deceased man, identified as 36-year-old Mohammad Mir Mousavi from Lahijan in Gilan province, was reportedly arrested following a street fight and passed away a few days later.
Five police officers have been temporarily detained as the investigation unfolds. Sources state that Mousavi had been taken to a police station in Langarud, where he allegedly faced severe beatings and injuries that ultimately led to his death. Hengaw, a human rights group, released a video showing Mousavi’s bloodied back, which they claim resulted from fatal torture while he was restrained.
Hengaw reported that Mousavi, a member of the Gilak minority in Iran, was killed while in the custody of the Special Unit of the Law Enforcement Force. The group also mentioned the pressures exerted on Mousavi’s family by Iranian security agencies to prevent the disclosure of this alleged crime. Activists fear that this incident may escalate tensions within the Gilan province and across the nation, especially considering the history of inter-communal conflicts.
Iran has faced scrutiny over deaths in custody, notably after the high-profile case of Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody in 2022. International investigators attributed her death to physical violence by Iranian authorities. The recent order by President Pezeshkian to investigate Mousavi’s death reflects a growing concern over human rights abuses in Iran and the need for accountability within the country’s law enforcement agencies.
