On Saturday, March 22, 2025, reports emerged regarding the suspicious death of a Baloch prisoner named Mehrdad Nabotzehi, 27, in Chabahar Prison. Prison authorities have declared the cause of death as “suicide by hanging with a rope.” However, his family and fellow inmates have rejected this claim, asserting that he was murdered inside the prison.
Uncertainties Surrounding Mehrdad Nabotzehi’s Death
Mehrdad Nabotzehi was arrested five years ago on murder charges in Rask County and had been imprisoned in Chabahar since then. Yesterday, his body was found in one of the prison’s restrooms. Prison officials claimed he hanged himself with a rope, but his family and some fellow inmates have cast doubt on this narrative, raising suspicions of intentional murder.
Demand for Transparency from Prison Authorities
Nabotzehi’s family has pointed out that all areas of the prison, including the restrooms, are under CCTV surveillance. They have demanded the release of the security footage from the time of the incident and questioned:
“If Mehrdad committed suicide, why won’t the prison authorities show us the footage of the moment it happened? If no cameras were present, how could such a death occur without any oversight?”
Additionally, some of his fellow inmates have informed his family that Mehrdad was performing ablution when a Kurdish-style pants was thrown over his head, and several individuals strangled him with a rope.
Suspicious Marks on the Deceased’s Body
According to his family’s reports, bruises were found on Mehrdad’s hands, possibly indicating a struggle and resistance. This has further fueled skepticism about the prison authorities’ narrative, prompting human rights activists to call for an independent investigation into the case.
A Series of Suspicious Deaths in Iranian Prisons
Mehrdad Nabotzehi’s death occurred just days after another Baloch prisoner, Karim Rigi, 55, died in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz. Reports indicate that Rigi had been held in temporary detention since 2021 without a final verdict. Authorities cited cardiac arrest and lack of timely medical care as the cause of death, yet his family has not been allowed to receive his body.
These consecutive deaths in Iranian prisons have raised serious concerns about the safety of Baloch prisoners and the dire conditions in Iran’s detention facilities. Human rights activists emphasize that Baloch prisoners face systemic discrimination, deprivation of medical care, and both physical and psychological torture.
