Child inmate sentenced to execution attempts suicide in Urmia prison

Bahauddin Ghasem Zadeh, a child inmate sentenced to execution in Urmia prison, attempted suicide on Thursday, October 8, 2020, by taking pills in protest of his prolonged uncertain legal status and was transferred to a hospital outside the prison. Mr. Ghasem Zadeh was arrested in 2009 when he was 17 years old, along with his brother, on charges of murder and was sentenced to execution.

According to Hrana news agency, the news organ of the Iranian Human Rights Activists Network, on Thursday, October 8, 2020, Bahauddin Ghasem Zadeh, a child inmate sentenced to execution in Urmia prison, attempted suicide by taking pills and was transferred to a hospital outside the prison.

The inmate’s suicide attempt was in protest of his prolonged uncertain legal status and was carried out by consuming 30 sleeping pills, after which he was transferred to a hospital outside the prison. Mr. Ghasem Zadeh remains under medical treatment at the hospital following his transfer.

Bahauddin and his brother Davoud Ghasem Zadeh previously went on hunger strike in March 2019 in protest of years of uncertain legal status. Hrana also reported in June 2019 about the deteriorating physical condition of the two imprisoned brothers. Davoud Ghasem Zadeh previously suffered from spinal cord injuries and due to poor prison conditions developed an infection in his foot, and as a result of prison authorities’ prevention of transfer to medical centers and due to prolonged uncertain legal status, he and his brother sent a letter to the prison director demanding the execution of his death sentence or determination of his legal status.

Davoud and Bahauddin Ghasem Zadeh are from Salmas city. These citizens were arrested in 2009 on charges of killing two people in a tribal clash. Bahauddin was 17 years old at the time of arrest and in 2010 took responsibility for both murders in court. On the same day after leaving the court, he escaped from security forces and went to Iraqi Kurdistan. After his escape, security forces arrested his sister, mother, and another brother and transferred them to Urmia prison, demanding Bahauddin’s return in exchange for his family’s release. Bahauddin also returned to the country after a month. During this period, due to severe beating, Davoud Ghasem Zadeh suffered injuries to his spine and spinal cord.

Suicides by inmates due to prolonged uncertain legal status, inappropriate conduct of officials, and prison detention conditions in Iranian prisons are not unprecedented.

Source: Hrana