Ahmadinejad condemns prison 'suicides'

In his new role as a member of those critical of Iran’s unelected power centers, especially the judiciary, former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has now joined the ranks of those criticizing officials for a number of unexplained prison deaths that the authorities have labeled a suicide.

The latest incident of a mysterious death in custody has been of environmentalist Kavous Seyed Emami, whom authorities claim committed suicide two weeks after his arrest. In January, two individuals who had been arrested during the nationwide protests also had reportedly committed suicide while in prison. Both parliamentarians and activists have questioned the deaths and have sought answers from the judiciary.

Ahmadinejad’s foray into this latest scandal in Iran came Feb. 14 on the steps of an appellate court. Ahmadinejad and his former adviser Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei were denied entry into the courtroom where the corruption charges against Hamid Baghaei, his vice president at the time, were discussed. Instead, Ahmadinejad decided to deliver a speech to his supporters and onlookers just outside the court building.

“There was a revolution so that a few did not have absolute discretion,” Ahmadinejad began, speaking just days after Iran marked the 39th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. Addressing the judiciary, he said, “Today, unfortunately, one of the organizations that must defend the rights of the people has stood against the people. The smallest criticism, the smallest protest is confronted with the harshest behavior.”