Iran’s Police Force Dismisses Commander Amid Probe into Detainee’s Death
In a rare move, Iran’s police force has dismissed the commander of a city in the northern province of Gilan after the death in custody of a detainee, state media reported on Saturday.
Mohammad Mir Mousavi, 36, was arrested on July 22 after being involved in a fight in Lahijan, according to police. The police commander was dismissed due to insufficient oversight of the conduct and behavior of staff, while the station commander and several officers involved in the incident were suspended.
The police statement emphasized that the behavior of some law enforcement officers was against the professional policy of the police and was not acceptable. As a result, they were referred to the judicial authority.
The Norway-based Kurdish human rights organization, Hengaw, claimed that Mir Mousavi was killed under torture in the detention center. In response, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered an investigation into the case on Thursday.
The dismissal of a police commander is a rare occurrence in Iran. The country has faced widespread protests in the past, including in 2022 following the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman who had been arrested for allegedly breaching the country’s strict dress code for women.
The investigation into Mir Mousavi’s death is ongoing, with the conclusion dependent on the medical examiner’s final report. The incident has raised concerns about the treatment of detainees in Iranian custody and the accountability of law enforcement officials.
