Death in Prison, False Narrative of “Furlough,” and the Family’s Cry for Justice
The suspicious death of Zabihollah Rigi (Netuzehi), a Baloch political prisoner, has once again raised alarms about the safety of political prisoners in Iran. Officials have claimed that he died while on “furlough,” but his family describes the official account as a blatant lie, insisting that he was in prison and was suddenly and suspiciously transferred to a hospital.
The Official Narrative: A Story Contradicted by Reality
Zabihollah Rigi, 29 years old, was only two weeks away from completing his 10-year prison sentence. However, on May 16, 2025, news of his death was reported from Imam Ali Hospital in Zahedan. Security officials claimed that he was on “furlough” and, after experiencing abdominal pain, was taken to the hospital, where he died four days later.
But Rigi’s family paints a different picture:
“Zabihollah was never on furlough. He was in prison. Guards brought him to the hospital in severe pain and then informed us. On Saturday morning, he was injected with a shot, and he died that same day.”
No History of Illness, No Clear Medical Records
According to his family, Zabihollah suffered from no underlying health conditions and was relatively healthy while in prison. Despite this, the hospital has not announced a cause of death, and his medical file remains unclear. This has raised concerns about the possibility of intentional poisoning or mistreatment in prison.
Death on the Verge of Freedom: Unanswered Questions
Zabihollah’s death just two weeks before his release has sparked serious suspicions regarding the motivations behind his death. His family rejects the notion of a “natural death” and is demanding a transparent, independent, and impartial investigation into the matter.
