Death Row Prisoner Dies from Medical Neglect by Iranian Authorities

Hengaw: Sunday, October 6, 2024

Mahmoud Dahmardeh, a Baloch prisoner sentenced to death and held in Zabol Prison, has died of a heart attack due to lack of medical care and the prison authorities’ refusal to transfer him to external medical facilities.

According to a report received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, on the evening of Thursday, October 3, 2024, Mahmoud Dahmardeh, a 41-year-old prisoner sentenced to death from Zabol, and a father of five, died after suffering a heart attack. His passing occurred while he was held in Ward 1 of Taghzi Prison, where inadequate medical care contributed to his deteriorating health.

As reported by the Haalvsh news outlet, this prisoner was transferred to Amir al-Mo'menin Hospital in Zabol following the heart attack, and the news of his death was conveyed to his family. He had been suffering from underlying diabetes, and despite a noticeable dent in his left shoulder and deteriorating health, as well as his family's repeated requests for treatment and medical care outside the prison, the prison authorities denied these requests.

According to informed sources, the authorities told the prisoner's family that, "He is a prisoner sentenced to death and will eventually be executed, so what is the need for treatment?" Last year, the authorities also opposed his release on a medical leave, despite a hefty bail, for his treatment.

This prisoner was arrested on December 21, 2020, on charges of "premeditated murder" and was first taken to the Zabol police detention center. After six months, he was transferred to Taghzi Prison in Zabol, where he was subjected to physical and psychological torture and was ultimately sentenced to death by the Criminal Court in Zabol.