Death of a Death-Row Prisoner in Nowshahr Prison Due to Pressure and Denial of Medical Care
6-October-2025
Category: Prisoners
6 October 2025
News group: Prisoners –
Breathing in Confinement – A prisoner at Nowshahr Prison has died due to the lack of timely medical attention and delays in transfer to external medical facilities.
According to Breathing in Confinement, Kiomars Ghorbankhani (Davari), a death-row prisoner previously arrested on drug-related charges for carrying ten kilograms of heroin, was scheduled to be executed this week. However, on Monday, 6 October, amid severe psychological pressure and deteriorating physical and mental condition, he suffered a cardiac arrest and owing to the denial of medical services and delayed transfer to specialist care, he lost his life.
Depriving prisoners of essential medical and mental-health care, the absence of adequate psychological services, and deliberate delays in transferring them to specialist facilities constitute clear violations of prisoners’ fundamental rights. Such practices contravene Iran’s international obligations, including the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules), which require equal and non-discriminatory access to medical treatment for those deprived of liberty.