Iranian-American dies in Tehran’s Evin Prison due to ‘lack of medical care’

Al-Monitor – An American-Iranian dual national died in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison on Saturday due to lack of medical attention, according to reports.

An anonymous source told BBC Persian that Faramarz Javidzad, 60, was taken to hospital after he suffered stomach bleeding, but he was later returned to the prison in the Iranian capital where he later died due to lack of medical care. He was returned purportedly at the behest of the prison authorities, IranWire reported. Faramarz’s physical condition reportedly had been deteriorating for several days.

Javidzad lived in the United States for two decades before returning to Iran a few years ago, where he ended up facing charges relating to “the transfer of illicit funds, involvement in the formation of a counterfeit and fraudulent network,” Iran International reported.

The Tehran Province Prison Administration confirmed the prisoner’s passing in a statement. “The inmate was transferred to the infirmary immediately on Saturday, and CPR procedures were performed in the presence of a physician, nurse and emergency personnel. Unfortunately, despite all efforts made, the inmate passed away,” the administration said.

Authorities claim that Javidzad underwent surgery while he was in custody and was later discharged from the hospital with his personal consent.

“The individual in question was sent to external medical facilities on five occasions during his time in prison due to a preexisting gastrointestinal condition,” the administration added.

A spokesperson for the US State Department told the BBC that the department was aware of the reports and was “seeking additional information.” “Due to privacy considerations, we have no further comment at this time,” the spokesperson added.

Several prisoners are said to have died in Iranian prisons over the years due to not having the right to adequate medical care.

The death of Javidzad is likely to fracture already delicate relations between Tehran and Washington. On Sept. 18, Iran freed five jailed Americans as part of a prisoner swap between the longtime rivals that also included the release of $6 billion in frozen funds to Tehran. It is unclear whether US diplomats raised Javidzad’s situation in the recent prisoner swap talks.