Amnesty International's response to the death of a detained "child criminal" due to mistreatment by prison authorities
Daniyal Zein-e-Abedini, a child criminal prisoner sentenced to death in Mahabad Prison who had been transferred from Mahabad Prison to Miandoab Prison during recent protests, lost his life as a result of beatings by prison officials.
Amnesty International reacted to the death of this imprisoned child in its latest statement on Friday, April 5, and called on Iranian authorities to immediately launch an independent investigation into his death and hold those responsible accountable.
According to this human rights organization, Daniyal Zein al-Abedini was initially transferred to solitary confinement with a group of prisoners and then to Miandoab Prison on Sunday, April 1, following protests in Mahabad Prison due to the Iranian authorities' failure to temporarily release prisoners due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.
According to the report, the prisoner announced on Tuesday, April 3, following a call with his family, that he had been severely beaten by prison officials, was having difficulty breathing, and needed help.
Following the recent unrest in Iranian prisons due to the spread of the coronavirus, official reports and news published on social media have indicated unrest in some Iranian prisons, including Mahabad, Adelabad in Shiraz, Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz, Aligudarz, Tabriz, Saqqez, and Hamedan prisons; protests that have taken place due to concerns about the sanitary conditions of these prison wards.
Seyyed Daniyal Zein al-Abedini, born on August 9, 2000, was arrested when he was 17 years old on charges of participating in the murder and arson of Sadeq Barmaki along with three other young men that occurred on September 21, 2017, and was sentenced to death by Mahabad Criminal Court 1. This verdict was confirmed by Branch 37 of the Supreme Court.
In another part of its report, the organization also expressed concern about the situation and fate of six other prisoners who were allegedly beaten and transferred to Miandoab Prison during the protests, and called on Iranian authorities to take all appropriate measures to protect their lives.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a press conference on Wednesday, April 26: "We have asked not only Syria, but also the Islamic Republic of Iran to release not only American citizens, but all those who have been unjustly imprisoned in these circumstances. This is a humanitarian act, and apart from the fact that these people have been illegally imprisoned, in these circumstances the principle of humanitarianism dictates that they be released from prison."
Source: Voice of America
