TEHRAN -- The contemporary Iranian writer and novelist, Ahmad Mahmoud, passed away on Friday morning, October 4, at Mehrad Hospital, Tehran. He was suffering from respiratory and pulmonary problems.

He was born in Ahvaz in 1931. After the elementary school he joined the army. He was one of the officers arrested after the coup of Mordad 28, and spent many years in the prisons of Shah's regime.

His respiratory problems developed during the same period.

Mahmoud published his first book in 1956. His many works include Neighbors, Burned Soil, Strangers, and a number of short stories.

Today he will be buried in Karaj.