Iranian doctor apparently murdered for revealing torture
December 3rd, 2009
We have writeup here repeatedly about the failures of US health professionals to act to stop or reveal US torture. Rather, they chose tho aid it. Now out of Iran comes a tragic story reminding us that some health professionals do choose to act in the face of government abuse, even at the risk of their lives. Doctor Ramin Pourandarjani, who revealed the torture of jailed protesters the spring’s election theft protests, has apparently been poisoned:
Pourandarjani was a doctor at Kahrizak, a prison on Tehran’s outskirts where hundreds of opposition protesters were taken after being arrested in the crackdown following June’s disputed presidential elections. The facility became so notorious that it was ordered shut down by Iran’s supreme leader as reports of abuse and torture became an embarrassment to the clerical rulers and security forces.
Pourandarjani testified before a parliamentary committee and reportedly told the committee members that one young protester he treated died from heavy torture.
The young physician died from an overdose of propranolol in a delivery salad, Mr. Dowlatabadi said Tuesday. Propranolol is used to treat high blood pressure, rapid heart rate and tremors, and can be lethal in high doses.
Sadly, in the far less dangerous environment here, we have no comparable US health professional heroes.
Entry Filed under: Accountability, Medicine, Torture