An Iranian national incarcerated in Malaysia has died in prison after several days of illness and lack of proper treatment, a report says.

Mohammad-Hossein Sharifinia-Rad, who was suffering from asthma and diabetes, lost his life in Kajang prison after serving six years in prison pending a court hearing.

The 62-year-old Iranian national was transferred to Kajang prison, which is notorious for its substandard condition, about three weeks ago and was hospitalized at the prison hospital for a few days.

Speaking to IRNA, Abbas Ranjbar, Iran’s consul in Malaysia, confirmed the death of Sharifinia-Rad, saying his body will be transferred to Iran on Thursday.

Ranjbar said he has met with a number of Malaysian prison officials to discuss the problems facing Iranian inmates in the Southeast Asian country.

The Iranian diplomat expressed hope that the situation of Iranian prisoners will improve soon.

Last June, Ranjbar said that some 227 Iranians, 30 women and 197 men, are in Malaysian prisons.

Prison conditions in Malaysia are reportedly harsh. Overcrowding, inadequate food and clothing, lack of regular access to clean water, poor medical care and improper sanitation are among serious problems in Malaysian prisons.

NGOs and a number of international organizations have warned that these conditions multiplied by lack of medical screening and treatment could facilitate the spread of diseases and lead to more deaths among inmates.