A fire broke out over the weekend at Iran’s Evin prison, known for anti-government space activists and political prisoners, killing at least 4 others and injuring more than 60, state media reported Sunday, after weeks of anti-government protests in Iran. following the death of a young woman in police custody.
Videos circulating online showed a giant fireplace with gunfire and explosions at Tehran’s criminal site, while others chanted “death to the dictator,” a reference to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and one of the slogans of anti-government protests. .
State media reported that the chimney burst Saturday after clashes between prisoners in two rooms, setting fire to other inmates in a workshop and warehouse containing clothes. Iranian state media also claimed that the event is not similar to the ongoing nationwide protests.
Four prisoners serving time for robbery died of smoke inhalation, while ten other people were taken to hospital, according to local news outlet Mizan.
No prisoner escaped the fire, which was extinguished after several hours, according to state media.
The criminal’s anonymous insiders told the BBC that the death toll is likely to be much higher than expected.
Protests erupted across Iran about five weeks ago after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was arrested by Iranian police in Tehran for violating the country’s strict dress code. of torture were discovered in their framework after their arrest. The Iranian government has denied the allegations, and the Iranian parliament said Amini died on Sunday because police delayed Amini’s medical treatment after his fall, prompting parliament to apologize to police. People took to the streets in dozens of villages to protest Amini’s death, adding women and girls, who shed the mandatory veil in public places to show solidarity. Iranian officials have limited access to the web and platforms such as WhatsApp and Instagram to quell protests. , and have harshly suppressed the protests.
Evin prison, located in Tehran’s Evin neighborhood, has been the main accommodation site for Iranian political criminals for several decades. The notable former detainees come with Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, who was held in Evin for more than a year before his release in 2016. The criminal has been nicknamed “Evin University” because of the large number of student activists, journalists and intellectuals held there.
At least two hundred other people have been killed in Iran since protests began on September 17, according to human rights groups. Amnesty International said 23 young people had been killed and called the government’s moves “brutal and relentless repression”. Iranian security workers tried to disperse the crowd with arrests, tear gas and sound bombs, and gave the impression of firing on protesters.
Evin chimney: Several dead after chimney in Iran’s infamous detention centre (The BBC)
Four others died in a fire at Iran’s Evin prison, which houses political prisoners (Associated Press)
Human Rights Organization Reports 233 Dead in Iran as Week Five Protest Entry (PBS)