As a wave of anti-government protests sweeps the nation, a serious fire breaks out at an Iranian prison, causing at least nine injuries.
According to state television, gunshots and explosives were heard coming from the Evin Prison in Tehran’s capital, hurting at least nine individuals. According to reports, the prison is home to several hundred protest detainees.
Human rights organisations have repeatedly denounced Evin for keeping political prisoners and journalists as well as for alleged inmate mistreatment.
According to a senior security official quoted by Iran’s state-run IRNA, there were fights between detainees in one ward and prison guards. According to the official, inmates started the fire by setting a warehouse full of prison uniforms on fire. He said the “rioters” were separated from the other prisoners to de-escalate the conflict.
According to the US-based Center for Human Rights in Iran, there was a “armed conflict” within the prison. The first gunfire was reportedly heard in prison’s Ward 7. There was no immediate way to confirm this account.
On a day when there was additional protest in a dozen Iranian cities, the fire broke out. Since Mahsa Amini, 22, died while being held in detention, protests have persisted for a while. She was detained last month because she wasn’t donning a head scarf properly.
Authorities claim she had a medical issue that caused her to collapse, but her family believes the police beat her to death.
Witnesses reported hearing at least three loud explosions emanating from the region and saw police block roads and highways leading to Evin prison. Near the prison, which is located in the capital’s north, there was significant traffic along main highways, and many drivers honked in support of the demonstrations.
Young women have frequently led demonstrations that have pushed for greater freedoms and, on occasion, the overthrow of Iran’s government. Security personnel have been deployed by the government, drawing significant criticism for their harshness. At least 233 protesters have been killed since demonstrations swept Iran on September 17, according to US-based rights monitor HRANA.
A group of individuals who are being referred to be paramilitary volunteers are shown dragging a woman into the back seat of a car in the northern town of Gohardasht while firing in the air to disperse protestors in one of the most recent videos to go viral on social media.
While some protesters have taken to the streets, store owners in some places have silently protested the government by closing their doors.
The US president suggested the unrest may continue for some time.
Joe Biden stated, “What it sparked in Iran has astonished me. It has stirred up something that I doubt will be quieted for a very long time.
Protests have also been held by Iranians worldwide. A group raised a woman above their heads in Wellington today as a symbolic remembrance of the deaths lost in Iran. Iranian residents in New Zealand have urged the government to do more to denounce Teheran, such as removing the Iranian ambassador from the country.
This upcoming week, they’re supposed to demonstrate in Parliament.
Iran jail fire leaves at least 9 people injured amid widespread demonstrations.
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