Iran: fire at notorious Evin prison

Evin Prison in Tehran is considered one of the worst prisons in Iran. Political prisoners sit there, but so have some demonstrators over the past few weeks. It is now said to have burned down there.

A fire broke out at Evin Prison in Tehran, the capital of Iran. This was reported by Tehran daily “Shark” and confirmed by the prison administration. You can read about the shootings and bombings in the prison on social media.

“Several explosions were heard from the prison,” said a “Shock” reporter on the Telegram messenger service. “The roads leading to Evin prison are closed. The smell of tear gas is wafting around the prison. Ambulances and fire engines are moving towards the prison.”

A video released by the human rights group Iran Human Rights showed flames and clouds of smoke rising over Evin prison, with scenes apparently heard. Chants of “Death to the Dictator” are heard in the background of the video.

Report: Eight injured

Iranian news agency IRNA reported that “thugs and rioters” started an argument with prison guards and later set fire to the prison’s textile warehouse. Firefighters then extinguished the fire. Tehran’s prosecutor insisted the incident was an internal conflict between jailed thieves. He denied having anything to do with the anti-establishment protests that have been raging like wildfire across the country for four weeks.

According to IRNA, eight people have been injured so far, and there have been no reported deaths. Jail authorities said that the situation in the jail is back under control. It is not yet clear if the nationwide protests are linked to the fire.

America is concerned about prison conditions

The United States expressed concern over the dramatic situation in Evin prison. “We are following the reports from Evin Prison very urgently,” US State Department spokesman Ned Price wrote on Twitter. “Iran has full responsibility for the safety of our unjustly detained citizens and they must be released immediately.”

Human rights activists criticize these conditions

Evin prison in northern Tehran is considered one of the worst prisons in Iran. Human rights organizations have long criticized conditions there. The prison houses a number of political prisoners, but apparently protesters have also been arrested in recent weeks.

Former international Hossein Mahini was reportedly held in solitary confinement in Evin prison in early October after being arrested for expressing solidarity with the rebel women’s movement. According to a media report, he was released from custody on bail equal to 30,000 euros.

Many students are said to have been taken there

Evin Prison was also an issue during protests against the political leadership in Iran. “They turned Tehran into a prison and Evin prison into a university,” students of Tehran’s prestigious Sharif University can be heard chanting in a video posted online. It seems that many of the students who were arrested by the security forces during the protest were taken there.