Spike in prison suicides as fourth prisoner dies in Iran within a week

Hengaw — Thursday, November 13, 2025

Mehrad Ahmadinezhad, a prisoner held at Karaj Central Penitentiary, took his own life and died shortly afterwards. He is the fourth prisoner in the past week who has ended his life inside Iranian detention facilities.

Based on information obtained by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Ahmadinezhad, a prisoner from Tehran, attempted suicide in Karaj Central Penitentiary on Monday, November 10, 2025. Authorities transferred him to a hospital, where he died.

Ahmadinezhad had previously been arrested on “drug-related offences” and sentenced to death by the judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Abolfazl Hosseini, another prisoner, died by suicide in Malayer Prison after ingesting buprenorphine tablets on Tuesday night, November 11, 2025.

Ali Mirza Niazi, a 39-year-old prisoner sentenced to death in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, died after consuming pills and methadone syrup on Thursday, November 6, 2025. On the same day, Hadi Rezaei, a prisoner from Kuhdasht, ended his life in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.