IRAN: TWO SENTENCED TO DEATH IN JAIL ABUSE CASE
June 30, 2010: An Iranian military court sentenced two men to death in connection with the killings of three anti-government protesters, the state news agency said.
Prosecutors said the three died after a series of beatings in Iran's Kahrizak jail, where they were held for taking part in last year's election protests.
Nine other officials were sentenced to jail and lashes over the deaths, Irna said quoting a court statement.
Kahrizak jail was shut in July over concerns about the abuse of inmates.
The officials charged in the Kahrizak case - whose names have not been released - were among 12 people facing prosecution over the inmates' deaths.
The pair were found guilty of "inflicting intentional abuse leading to the murder" of the three protesters, Irna quoted the court statement as saying.
They have 20 days to appeal against the rulings.
The three who died while in custody have been named as Amir Javadifar, Mohsen Ruholamini and Mohammed Kamrani.
Officials had initially said Mr Ruholamini and Mr Kamrani died of meningitis, but the coroner ruled that the cause of death was a series of beatings. (Sources: BBC, 30/06/2010)
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