Iran fires police chief after death of blogger Sattar Beheshti

Iran has fired its head of cyber security after a blogger died while in custody, officials in that country announced today.

That country’s Press TV said police fired Gen. Mohammad Hasan Shokrian for “failure and lack of sufficient supervision over the performance of personnel under his command.”

Blogger Sattar Beheshti died after his arrest on Oct. 30, The Associated Press reported.

The incident sparked an investigation headed by lawmaker Mehdi Davatgari, Press TV said.

“The judiciary’s measure for arresting Sattar Beheshti has been legal, but the violation by cyber police in this case is indisputable,” Davatgari said Nov. 26, according to Press TV.

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Police arrested Beheshti on Oct. 30 for alleged cybercrimes. They took him to Evin prison in Tehran the next day for interrogation. He died Nov. 3, the AP said.

Sky News said Beheshti, 35, was tortured and found dead in his cell.

The incident sparked rare outrage in Iran’s government, Sky said, and nearly unprecedented response.

Sky News, citing Iranian media reports, said Beheshti’s death has led to seven arrests.

Iranian parliament formed a committee to investigate the incident, and justice officials pledged to act “quickly and decisively,” Sky reported.

Beheshti was critical of the Iranian government, and his death triggered international outrage.

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