Country: Iran

ICHR Strongly condemns the government of Iran for the beating and death of juvenile offender Zeinolabedini, and we demand an immediate conduct of independent and impartial investigation into his death.

There are alarming concerns about the horrifying death of Daniel Zeinolabedini, after he was brutally beaten by the prisons security officers.

Daniel was put in solitary confinement and beaten by security officers in Mahabad prison in Orumiyeh city in West Azerbaijan Province after a riot erupted on 28 March, protesting at prison conditions, and the failure of the authorities to temporarily release them due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He was then transferred to Miandoab prison, also in West Azerbaijan province, where he suffered further ill-treatment at the hands of prison officials.

His family said “he called them on 31 March to tell them he had been badly beaten, as he was hardly able to breathe and in immediate and desperate need of help.” His death was confirmed on 2nd of April, 2020.

Zeinolabedini was on death row for a crime he allegedly committed in September 2017 at the age of 17. His murder conviction and death sentence were upheld by Iran’s Supreme Court in October 2018. He continued to prove his innocence.

The imposition of the death penalty for crimes committed by people under the age of 18 at the time of the offence is strictly prohibited under international human rights law and such sentences should be immediately removed.

Meanwhile the Iranian government not only disregards the international human rights laws, it’s unable to protect the lives of the prisoners.

There are also raising concerns for the fate of six other prisoners  whom were also beaten during the riot on 28 March and taken to Miandoab prison. ICHR Strongly Calls on the Iranian government to take all measures to protect their lives.

ICHR Strongly Calls on Iran’s government to protect the lives of individuals in detention. As well as to immediately conduct an independent and impartial investigation into Zeinolabedini’s death and hold those responsible accountable.