Javad Rouhi's Body Conditionally Released and Buried with Security Presence

On 31 August 2023, state media reported that “Woman, Life, Freedom” protester, Javad Rouhi had died in Shahid Beheshti Noshahr Hospital after being transferred there due to “convulsions.” No further information was publicly shared about his cause of death.

One of Javad Rouhi’s relatives told Iran Human Rights: “The Forensic Medical Organisation has cited his cause of death as a heart attack, while IRGC officials verbally cited the cause as a stroke.”

“Before handing over Javad’s body to his family, they were forced to sign a commitment letter. His body was then buried in his father’s village, Kalikan with security forces present. Javad had a prison visit with his parents on Wednesday (30 August) and later even called them and was feeling really good. But he had passed away before reaching the hospital, his head was covered in plastic and cotton wool,” the source added.

According to the Noshahr Prison public relations, prison infirmary notes stated: “On Wednesday, 30 August 2023, Javad Rouhi went to the prison infirmary on his own feet and said he was feeling weak. After taking his vital signs and consulting with the prison doctor, he was prescribed diclofenac and cold medicine.”

Many friends and former political prisoners have raised the possibility that he was killed through intentional drug poisoning.

Javad Rouhi was arrested in relation to a protest that took place on 21 September 2022 in Noshahr, Mazandaran and was was incommunicado for the first three months of his detention according to his family. Per reports, he was subjected to severe torture to force confessions that were used as evidence of his guilt.

On 3 January 2023, the Sari Revolutionary Court sentenced him to three death penalties  for charges of efsad-fil-arz (corruption on earth), moharebeh (enmity against god) and apostasy through insulting the Quran by burning and insulting Islamic sanctities. A video of him dancing was used as evidence of his leadership role at the protest. His sentence was overturned on appeal and his case referred to a court of equal standing in May.