Protest-linked Iran death-row inmate Javad Rouhi dies in hospital

An Iranian man sentenced to death in connection with last year's protests triggered by the death in custody of Mahsa (Jina) Amini died in hospital on Thursday, the judiciary said.

"Javad Rouhi, an inmate in Nowshahr city prison, was transferred to Shahid Beheshti Hospital in the city early Thursday after suffering a seizure while in prison," the judiciary's Mizan Online news website reported.

"Unfortunately, he died despite the actions of medical staff, and a legal case has been filed to follow up on the reason for his death," it added.

Rouhi's death comes almost a year after a nationwide protest movement was triggered by the 16 September death in custody of Iranian Kurd Amini, 22, detained for allegedly breaching the Islamic republic's strict dress code for women.

During months of protest, which Tehran called foreign-instigated "riots", thousands of Iranians were arrested and hundreds killed, including dozens of security personnel.

Seven men have been executed in cases related to the protests that involved killings and violence against members of the security forces.

Rouhi was sentenced to death on the charge of "corruption on Earth" in Nowshahr in the northern province of Mazandaran for "leading a group of rioters", "inciting people to create insecurity", and "apostasy by desecration of the Quran by burning it", Mizan said in January.

The then 31-year-old was also found guilty of "setting fire to and destroying property in a way that causes severe disruption to the country's public order and security", it added.

In January, Amnesty International said that Rouhi had been subjected to physical torture.

The London-based rights group says Iran executes more people than any other country except China and hanged at least 582 people last year, the highest number since 2015.