Number of Iran prison fires doubles as protest tensions rise
Judiciary officials said on Monday that eight Iranian inmates had died in a raging fire at Tehran’s Evin prison, adding to tensions after a month of protests sparked by Masa Amini’s death. Doubled official casualties from heightened fires.
Authorities in the Islamic Republic have blamed the fire late Saturday on “riots and clashes” among prisoners, but human rights groups have questioned the official narrative of the incident and the actual toll could be higher. I am concerned that there is
Gunshots and explosions were heard from inside the complex amid dramatic flames, according to social media footage, after which state media broadcast images of parts of the prison that had been gutted by the flames.
Attorney General Gollum Hossein Mohseni Ejay said on Monday that the fire was a “crime committed by several factors related to the enemy.”
“The number of people killed in Evin Prison is probably higher than the official number,” he added.
The IHR said many prisoners had been transferred to Gohadasht prison in Karaj, west of Tehran, in the aftermath of the fire.
The fire came after four weeks of protests over the death of Amini, 22, who was arrested on suspicion of violating Iran’s strict dress code for women.
At least 122 people were killed in the Amini protest crackdown, and at least 93 were killed in another clash in Zahedan, Sistan-Balchestan province, according to the latest tolls released by the IHR.
Protests took place on Sunday in the aftermath of the Evin fire, with women chanting “We are all Masa!” at Tehran University and Shariati University.
Hundreds of protesters arrested in recent weeks have been sent to Evin, notorious for its abuse of political prisoners, where foreign detainees and thousands face criminal charges.
His family said he was abused in custody and broke both legs.
Prominent Iranian lawyer Saeed Degang wrote on Twitter that a total of 19 lawyers working to defend those arrested had been detained.
The European Union’s head of foreign policy, Josep Borrell, said the European Union expected “maximum transparency about the situation” in Evin.
They are subject to EU visa bans and asset freezes.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said Tehran would “immediately respond” to the sanctions. The US, UK and Canada have already announced sanctions against Iran for rights violations.
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Number of Iran prison fires doubles as protest tensions rise
Source link Number of Iran prison fires doubles as protest tensions rise