Human rights sources from Iran say a coronavirus patient who was imprisoned in Zahedan, has died of COVID-19.
The man, Mostafa Kamali, tested positive for the virus and died shortly afterwards in ward 7 of Zahedan Central Prison in Southeast Iran, but the authorities said he died due to drug overdose.
According to the sources the Coronavirus is progressively spreading throughout the prison and the number of prisoners contracted the virus is increasing by day.
Some of these prisoners who were in critical health conditions were transferred to the hospitals of Bou Ali and Khatam in Zahedan, capital of Sistan and Baluchistan province.
It is noteworthy that despite the outbreak of the virus in Iranian prisons, inmates are deprived of necessary medical items including face masks and disinfectants.
Health conditions in Iran’s prisons are deplorable.
There have been reports in recent days on the outbreak of the Coronavirus in Iranian prisons. At least several prisoners in the prisons of Urmia, Qezel Hessar, and Khorramabad are suspected of contracting the Coronavirus.
Dire conditions are reported in Tehran’s Evin Prison and could lead to yet another humanitarian catastrophe. A significant number of political prisoners are suffering from Coronavirus symptoms, such as severe coughing and high fever. However, no measures have been taken to treat or quarantine these infected inmates. Prison authorities refuse entering the cells for daily head counts in fear of being infected and count the prisoners outside the cells. There is an absolute shortage of hygienic and disinfectants, and Coronavirus test kits are non-existent. Inmates are told to purchase the necessary hygienic supplies from outside the prison.
According to credible reports, a large number of inmates in Ghezel Hesar Prison of Karaj, west of Tehran, have been infected with the coronavirus. All of these inmates have been transferred from their ward to the prison’s quarantine section. However, it is not clear how many of the remaining inmates are infected with COVID-19. Furthermore, the prison warden has built a new kitchen for the prison and the inmates were forced to provide the necessary budget.
The conditions of prisoners have been of special concern since the outbreak began.
Following the spread of coronavirus in Iran’s overcrowded jails, reports on Monday say some 70,000 prisoners have been given furlough.
This excludes peaceful political prisoners who have long prison terms. The outbreak of the deadly virus is a serious danger for them who have been forced to remain in the country’s overcrowded jails.
