Father of Four Dies Under Torture in Iranian Custody, Sparking Outrage in Malekan
The death of 48-year-old Ghafar Akbari in custody has underscored the Iranian government’s systematic reliance on violence and repression to suppress dissent. Akbari, a father of four from Yulqunlu village near Malekan in East Azerbaijan Province, died on November 16, 2024, after enduring weeks of torture and inhumane treatment at the hands of Iranian authorities.
Akbari was arrested on November 8 as a suspect in a year-and-a-half-old murder case. Alongside four others, he was detained despite a lack of evidence linking him to the crime. During his detention, Akbari was subjected to extreme torture, including being hung upside down, forced to wear wet clothes in freezing conditions, deprived of food and water, and physically abused to the point of requiring urgent medical care. His toenails were removed, and the beatings left him in critical condition.
Authorities coerced Akbari into confessing to the crime, threatening him with additional accusations, such as involvement in the assassination of foreign figures. Despite initially confessing under duress, Akbari recanted before a prosecutor, explaining that his admission was forced through torture. In response, officials intensified his abuse, referring to it as “technical interrogation,” a term widely recognized as a euphemism for severe torture.
Death in Custody and Attempts to Suppress Fallout
Despite warnings from medical staff about his deteriorating health, Akbari was transferred to solitary confinement in Maragheh Prison instead of a hospital. When his condition worsened, he was finally sent to Sina Hospital in Maragheh, where he died after two days in a coma.
To control the fallout from his death, security forces threatened Akbari’s family into silence and rushed his burial under heavily restricted conditions. With only 20 minutes’ notice, they carried out a nighttime burial, a culturally unacceptable act in the region meant to stifle public mourning and dissent. Despite the authorities’ efforts, many local residents attended the burial, defying the restrictions.
Public Outcry and Repression
Akbari’s death provoked outrage in Malekan, where citizens gathered outside the judiciary office to demand accountability. In response, security forces deployed riot police and plainclothes agents to suppress the protests. The local prosecutor reportedly fled the scene as tensions escalated.
This case is part of a broader pattern of systemic violence by Iranian authorities. Reports of detainees dying under torture have increased in recent months, with no accountability for those responsible. Officials have acknowledged recurring deaths in custody but continue to use torture and coerced confessions as tools to fabricate cases and intimidate the public.
The tragic death of Ghafar Akbari is not only a grave human rights violation but also a stark reminder of the cost of living under a repressive regime. His case has amplified calls for justice and accountability, signaling a society increasingly unwilling to tolerate such abuses.
