![](\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2012\/12\/ai.gif\" "\\"ai\\"")
Thu, 13 Dec 2012 17:25:33 +0000
Headline Title: Iran: Still no explanation or justice for blogger who died in custody 13 December 2012 The mother of an Iranian blogger who died in custody was among those attacked by security forces today at her son\u2019s graveside, prompting Amnesty International to call once more for a thorough and impartial investigation into the 35-year-old\u2019s death.<\/p>\n
Sattar Beheshti, from Robat Karim south-west of Tehran, was buried on 7 November. According to officials he died in the Cyber Police detention facility on 3 November. Thu, 13 Dec 2012 17:25:33 +0000Headline Title: Iran: Still no explanation or justice for blogger who died in custody 13 December 2012 The mother of an Iranian blogger who died […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":39158,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[175],"class_list":{"0":"post-12525","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-human-rights","8":"tag-updated"},"yoast_head":"\n
Security forces and men in plainclothes reportedly attacked mourners on Thursday as they marked 40 days since his death – which in Iran closes the traditional mourning period for the deceased.
It appears that Beheshti\u2019s mother was injured in the assault and there are reports that one person was arrested.
The attack came amid ongoing harassment of the blogger\u2019s family members and concerns about the independence of investigations into his death.
\u201cWhat is especially devastating for Sattar Beheshti\u2019s family is that even though their traditional mourning period has come to a close, there are still many unanswered questions about how and why he died while in the custody of the Cyber Police,\u201d said Ann Harrison, Deputy Director of Amnesty International\u2019s Middle East and North Africa Programme.
\u201cThe Iranian authorities must ensure that the ongoing investigations into the incident – and all other deaths in custody – are thorough, impartial and in line with international human rights law and standards, leading to those responsible being brought to justice. Intimidation and attacks against Sattar Beheshti\u2019s family must not be tolerated.\u201d
Following his arrest on 30 October at his home in Robat Karim, Beheshti\u2019s family had no further contact with him until 6 November when they received a telephone call telling them to collect his body from Kahrizak detention centre.
Before being transferred to the Cyber Police detention centre, Beheshti had been held for one night in Section 350 of Tehran\u2019s Evin Prison. While there, he lodged a complaint with the Evin Prison authorities claiming that his interrogators had tortured him after his arrest.
Fellow prisoners at Evin Prison later wrote an open letter corroborating that allegation, saying they had seen torture marks on his body.
Investigations under way
The Iranian Parliament\u2019s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission and the Judiciary\u2019s High Commission for Human Rights have both launched investigations into the incident.
But various judicial officials and parliamentarians have given contradictory explanations for the blogger\u2019s death even before the investigations have been completed, raising serious concerns about their impartiality, independence and transparency.
The role of the Cyber Police
On 27 November, Iran\u2019s police chief, Brigadier General Esma`il Ahmadi-Moghaddam, accepted partial responsibility for Beheshti\u2019s death in custody.
The head of Iran\u2019s Cyber Police was subsequently removed from his position, but a member of the parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Commission later denied the removal had anything to do with the blogger\u2019s death.
Family members silenced
Family members have also been threatened with arrest if they speak to the media about the case.
The family\u2019s lawyer has expressed concern that the case – which is currently undergoing a criminal investigation by the Prosecutor\u2019s Office – may not go to court.
\u201cIt is very troubling that Sattar Beheshti\u2019s family members appear to be under pressure not to demand their right to justice over this fatal incident,\u201d said Harrison.
\u201cIn addition to bringing charges against anyone responsible for torture or for causing his death, without imposing the death penalty, the authorities must not block this – or any other\u2019s family\u2019s – right to access justice.\u201d
Amnesty International has over the years repeatedly raised concerns about torture and other ill-treatment of detainees in Iran, including cases where deaths in custody appear to have resulted from such treatment.
Instead of delivering justice and an impartial investigation into a blogger`s death in custody, Iranian authorities have been intimidating his family members.
Media Node: Sattar Beheshti Story Location: Iran33\u00b0 57` 41.7096″ N, 52\u00b0 17` 41.7192″ E \u201cWhat is especially devastating for Sattar Beheshti\u2019s family is that even though their traditional mourning period is coming to a close, there are still many unanswered questions about how and why he died while in the custody of the Cyber Police\u201dSource: Ann Harrison, Deputy Director of Amnesty International\u2019s Middle East and North Africa Programme. Date: Thu, 13\/12\/2012URL: Iran must ensure an effective investigation into Sattar Beheshti\u2019s death in custody Description: Public statement, 29 November 2012 URL: Iran must immediately investigate blogger\u2019s death in custody Description: News story, 8 November 2012 URL: Iran: Female detainees begin hunger strike after degrading treatment Description: News story, 1 November 2012
Link: http:\/\/www.amnesty.org\/en\/news\/iran-still-no-explanation-or-justice-blogger-who-died-custody-2012-12-13<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"