After the fire in the notorious Evin prison in the Iranian capital Tehran, the authorities have reported the first deaths. At least four prisoners died from smoke inhalation and 61 prisoners were injured, the state news agency IRNA reported. The circumstances were initially not further described by the official side. Human rights organizations and critics had already feared victims in the detention center during the night.
According to the judiciary, a fire was set in a prison workshop – “after a dispute between prisoners who had been convicted of financial crimes and theft”. Tehran’s prosecutor had previously denied any connection to the ongoing anti-system protests that swept across the country four weeks ago. Official information from the regime cannot be independently verified.
Numerous political prisoners and demonstrators who have been imprisoned there for their participation in the system-critical protests of the past four weeks are being held in Evin prison in northern Tehran. Evin is internationally known and notorious for this and for criticism from human rights groups.
Chaotic scenes around the prison
Eyewitnesses told Reuters news agency that shots could be heard coming from the building. According to witnesses, the roads leading to the prison were cordoned off and ambulances and special forces could be seen. The families of detainees would have gathered in front of it.
“People in neighboring buildings are chanting ‘Death Khamenei’ from the windows,” said another witness, referring to Iran’s spiritual leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This information could not be independently verified. Videos shared thousands of times on social media showed chaotic images surrounding the prison. According to eyewitnesses in Tehran, several explosions were heard in the detention center on Saturday and a fire broke out.
In Iran, numerous people have been protesting against the government for almost a month. According to human rights groups, at least 240 demonstrators have died, including 32 minors. According to activist group Hrana, more than 8,000 people have been arrested in 111 cities. The trigger was the death of the 22-year-old Kurd Mahsa Amini. She was arrested by the Morality Police in Tehran for allegedly violating the rules on wearing a headscarf. She died three days later.