According to sources close to Fouad Alikhani’s family, he was arrested at a security checkpoint in Kermanshah without a warrant or legal explanation and was immediately transferred to the IRGC Intelligence detention center.
Wednesday, June 24, 2025, the Iran Human Rights Society– Fouad Alikhani, a 41-year-old citizen from Kermanshah, died in the IRGC Intelligence detention center in the province. Local sources indicated that Alikhani succumbed to severe torture during his detention. The incident occurred on Sunday, June 21, 2025, and remains unaddressed with transparency by responsible authorities.
Arrest Without Legal Justification
Sources close to Alikhani’s family stated that he was detained at a security checkpoint in Kermanshah without a warrant or legal explanation and was directly taken to the IRGC Intelligence detention center. This action, conducted without an official summons or prior notice, violates Iran’s Criminal Procedure Code and international human rights standards.
Torture and Mistreatment in Kermanshah IRGC Intelligence Detention Center
According to credible sources, Fouad Alikhani was subjected to severe physical and psychological torture during his detention, which ultimately led to his death. Reports indicate he was held in the IRGC Intelligence detention center in Kermanshah, a facility repeatedly criticized by human rights organizations for torture, prolonged detention without charges, and inhumane treatment of prisoners.
A source close to the family revealed that security forces contacted the family after his death, informing them of his passing without providing details about the time, place, or cause of death. Authorities have also refused to release Alikhani’s body to his family, intensifying their grief and raising suspicions about the circumstances of his death.
Continued Lack of Accountability in Custodial Death Cases
Fouad Alikhani’s death is one of many similar incidents in Iran’s security detention centers in recent years. Names like Sina Ghanbari, Sattar Beheshti, Kavous Seyed-Emami, and others remain in public memory—citizens who died in custody under suspicious circumstances, with their cases either unresolved or closed with vague, non-transparent reports.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have repeatedly warned about the “impunity” enjoyed by security and intelligence forces in cases of suspicious custodial deaths. In most instances, no independent body is allowed to investigate, and victims’ families face pressure to abandon legal pursuits.
Family’s Reaction and Growing Public Concern
Alikhani’s family is grappling with profound shock and grief. A relative stated in an interview: “We don’t even know what happened to Fouad. They just called and said he’s dead. No explanation, no evidence, no chance to say goodbye or mourn.” According to this source, the family has attempted to seek information about the body and cause of death but has been met with silence or threats.
Human Rights Violations in Fouad Alikhani’s Case
The suspicious death of Fouad Alikhani in the Kermanshah IRGC Intelligence detention center constitutes clear violations of several articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
Article 3: “Right to life, liberty, and security of person” — Death due to torture in custody directly violates this fundamental right.
Article 5: “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment” — Credible reports of severe physical torture indicate a blatant breach of this principle.
Article 9: “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention, or exile” — Alikhani’s arrest without a legal warrant or clear reason violates this article.
Article 10: “Right to a fair and public hearing by an impartial tribunal” — Lack of access to a lawyer, judicial transparency, and death without fair proceedings demonstrate the complete denial of this right.
Article 12: “Right to protection of privacy, family, and reputation” — Failure to inform the family officially and withholding the body violate fundamental family and human rights.
These violations highlight a systemic disregard for basic human rights by the security and judicial apparatus, which consistently evades accountability.
Conclusion
The death of Fouad Alikhani in the Kermanshah IRGC Intelligence detention center once again draws attention to the issues of torture, arbitrary detentions, and suspicious deaths in Iran’s security institutions. Without transparent and accountable mechanisms to oversee detention centers and protect detainees’ rights, such tragedies will not only persist but also serve as tools for suppression and instilling fear in society.
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