ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - An Iraqi man who was days away from being released under a general amnesty law died in custody last week, with his family alleging he was tortured to death inside a prison in Anbar province.

Haider Saud Rashid al-Aliawiy, a resident of Ramadi, was pronounced dead Saturday after authorities informed his family to retrieve his body from the prison. He had been scheduled for release on Monday.

The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, though relatives and his mother claim there are visible signs of torture on his body, including bruising and marks resembling boot prints.

“They called us from the prison, told us to come take our son,” said Um Haider, his mother. “We asked why, he hadn’t even gone to trial yet. They just said, ‘He died.’”

Aliawiy, who had been imprisoned for 10 years in Baghdad, was  under Iraq’s general amnesty law due to the absence of a formal complaint in his case. His release had been approved shortly before his death.

The Iraqi parliament passed the General Amnesty Law in late January. The law redefines the concept of affiliation to terrorism, allowing prisoners convicted of belonging to armed groups, including the Islamic State (ISIS), to seek release in order to alleviate pressure on Iraq's prison system. The law was among the main requests of the Sunni component upon the election of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani. 

Haider's mother said her son had complained of a mild cough while awaiting transfer to another prison and requested to see a doctor. She alleges a prison officer accused him of faking the symptoms. “After that, my son collapsed and lost consciousness,” she said.

“He has four children. His wife is gone. I waited for his release to hand over his children to him. Instead, they brought him to me in a shroud,” she said.

The family is calling for a full investigation, including a review of prison surveillance footage and accountability for what they say is negligence and abuse.

“I will not let his death go unanswered,” Um Haider said. “He is gone, but I will fight for his rights.”

Iraqi authorities have not publicly commented on the incident.