The body of Mehdi Sadeghi, a former Kurdish political prisoner who died under suspicious circumstances, was found in Tehran’s Tarebar Square on 1 July.
The day before, Sadeghi posted a video on his Instagram page denying the news of his suicide, which had spread on social media.
The cause of Sadeghi’s death is currently unknown, as his family has not provided any information due to pressure from security services.
Sadeghi began working in Tehran after his release from Ilam Central Prison on 19 June, where he had served a six-month prison sentence.
On 30 June, after he posted an Instagram story saying “Farewells are beautiful, especially when they are the last, in the hope of Iran’s freedom”, news of his suicide began to circulate on social media. Hours later, however, Sadeghi denied the news by posting a video on his Instagram account.
The next day, the civilian’s body was found in Tarebar Square in Tehran and taken to the Department of Forensic Medicine in Tehran.
His body was taken to Ilam on 2 July and buried in the town cemetery with a large crowd.
Sadeghi was detained on 12 October 2022, during the recent anti-government protests in Ilam.
After his arrest, he was taken to the Ministry of Intelligence detention facility in the city, where he was interrogated and tortured for five days.
Following the interrogation, he was transferred to Ilam Central Prison.
On 23 November, he was released on a bail of 3 billion Iranian rials, which is nearly 6,000 USD.
In early February, the Branch 103 of the Criminal Court of Ilam, in western Iran, sentenced Sadeghi to six months in prison, 74 lashes, and a two-year ban on leaving the country on charges of “disturbing public order and peace”.
Another lawsuit has been filed against the civilian at the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Ilam on charges of “insulting sanctities”, “disrupting public opinion” and “acting against national security”.
He was arrested for the second time by security forces on 21 February and transferred from Ministry of Intelligence detention centre to Ilam prison after a few days.
He was released from Ilam Central Prison on 19 June after serving his six-month imprisonment sentence.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please seek help from a mental health professional or contact the following numbers in Iran:
Social Emergency: 123, Urban Emergency: 115, Counsellor: 1480, Tehran Psychiatric Emergency: 44508200
