/ground-report/media/post_banners/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Source-unsplash-2022-10-17T154414.033.jpg)
Four prisoners died and more than 60 were injured in a fire on Saturday night in Tehran, Iran, in the Evin prison, said yesterday the judicial authority of the Islamic Republic, shaken for a month by a broad protest movement for the death of young Mahsa Amini.
Evin prison fire
On Saturday night a fire was declared and shots and explosions were heard in the prison compound that the authorities attributed to an attempted riot by ordinary prisoners.
The authorities claimed that a prison workshop had been set on fire "after a fight between several prisoners convicted of financial crimes and robbery." In Evin, there are many detainees facing security charges, including Iranian dual nationals.
On Saturday night, shots and explosions were heard in the prison compound, something that the authorities attributed to an attempted mutiny by common prisoners.
According to the official version, common prisoners set fire to the clothing store, which caused a fire and clashes between prisoners and prison officials. The Fars media outlet, close to the Revolutionary Guard, said that some prisoners "had prepared bladed weapons" and that when trying to flee they entered a "minefield", which caused the explosions that were heard.
Smoke inhalation
This Sunday, the media reported that four people died "by smoke inhalation", and 61 were injured, of which ten were hospitalized, four of them in serious condition, who were "yesterday afternoon" lost their lives.
According to the Mizan Online website, the website of the Judiciary, the other six hospitalized maintain a "favourable general condition."
The feared Evin prison, located in western Tehran, houses political prisoners, foreigners and journalists in 40 hectares, and has been denounced by human rights groups for its poor conditions and alleged torture.
The Iranian media emphasize that the dead are prisoners of robberies and that they are not political prisoners.
The prison incident came amid protests a month ago over the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, after being detained by "morality police" for allegedly wearing the veil incorrectly.
Since the death of the young Kurdish woman, there have been protests in numerous cities in the country, led mainly by young people, and which are being strongly repressed by the security forces.
Many of the thousands arrested in the protests have been jailed in Evin.
Death that sparked protests
The protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, while in detention by the Iranian morality police on September 16, is the biggest challenge facing clerical leaders since the 1979 revolution, and they have been met with brutal state repression.
Independent organizations account for 240 demonstrators killed in the protests, including 32 minors, while some 8,000 people have been arrested in 111 cities and towns.
Iran blames its internal and external enemies for the violence while denying that security forces killed the protesters. Official media claim that 26 members of the security forces had died at the hands of "rioters."
The protests aroused international condemnation. The United States, Canada and some European countries have announced sanctions on Iranian officials and organizations they accuse of being involved in the crackdown on protesters.
ALSO READ
- 1% Of World’s Population Is Responsible For A Quarter Of Emissions
- Sea Level Rise Is ‘Inevitable’ Due To Greenland Melting
- Sickening Healthcare Facility In Village Karmi
You can connect with Ground Report on Facebook, Twitter, Koo App, Instagram, and Whatsapp and Subscribe to our YouTube channel. For suggestions and writeups mail us at [email protected]
