Iran’s police force has dismissed the commander of a city in Gilan province following the death of a detainee in custody, as reported by state media on Saturday.
The detainee, 36-year-old Mohammad Mir Mousavi, was arrested on July 22 after being involved in a fight in the city of Lahijan, according to a police statement carried by the official news agency IRNA.
The police stated that the commander was removed from his position due to a lack of adequate oversight concerning the conduct and behavior of his staff.
The station commander and several officers connected to the incident have also been suspended.
While the exact cause of Mir Mousavi’s death is still under investigation and awaits the medical examiner’s final report, the police acknowledged that the actions of some officers did not align with the professional standards of the force. Those officers have been referred to the judicial authorities for further action.
This incident has drawn attention from human rights groups, with the Norway-based Kurdish human rights organization Hengaw claiming that Mir Mousavi was “killed under torture” while in detention.
In response, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered an investigation into the case. Such dismissals within Iran’s security forces are uncommon.
This event follows the high-profile case of Mahsa Amini in 2022, whose death in custody after being arrested for allegedly violating Iran’s dress code for women led to widespread protests across the country.
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