The story: An imprisoned Iranian political activist has been pronounced dead, allegedly in connection with what activists say was inattention to his deteriorating health. Judiciary officials have denied any wrongdoing in the case, which is the latest in a chain of allegations of serious mistreatment inside Iran's notorious jails. The incident may become a major political obstacle for hardline chief justice Ebrahim Raisi, who is favored to win Iran’s presidential elections on June 18.

The coverage: The death of political activist Sasan Niknafs was initially made public by his lawyer Ali Sharifzadeh Ardakani on June 7...