Last Updated: Friday, 19 May 2023, 07:24 GMT

Iranian political prisoner dies

Publisher Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Publication Date 6 March 2009
Cite as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Iranian political prisoner dies, 6 March 2009, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/49b68d1fc.html [accessed 23 May 2023]
DisclaimerThis is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

March 06, 2009

Iranian political prisoner Amir Heshmat Saran has died at the Rajayi Hospital in the city of Karaj, RFE/RL's Radio Farda reports.

Saran's sister and lawyer told Radio Farda that he felt bad on March 4 and was transferred from prison to the hospital the next day.

Saran, who was in his early 50s, reportedly suffered from a heart problem. His lawyer, Mohammad Reza Faghihi, told Radio Farda that he didn't get proper medical care in jail.

The leader of the National Union Front, Saran, was arrested five years ago and sentenced to eight years in prison for creating the small group. He also had to serve eight years after being convicted of calling for illegal gatherings.

Saran's sister said the family considers his death "suspicious" and wants it investigated. There have been several deaths in Iranian prisons in recent years that activists have called suspicious.

Copyright notice: Copyright (c) 2007-2009. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036

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