Gun shots and sirens heard at Iran’s notorious detention center
A major fire broke out on Saturday at Iran’s notorious Evin prison, known for housing political prisoners, journalists, and foreign nationals.
Videos shared online showed flames and smoke at the site in Tehran, and gunshots and explosions could be heard.
An official quoted by state media said the situation was under control, but video footage appeared to show the fire continuing after this.
Iran has been gripped for weeks by anti-government protests.
They first erupted last month after the death of 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian Mahsa Amini in police custody. Officials said she died of a heart attack, but her family disputed this, saying she was beaten by the morality police.
But this could easily be the case, as hundreds of the protesters have been sent to Evin.
State media has suggested the two are not linked, quoting an official who blamed “criminal elements” for the fire. Eight people were injured, the state-controlled outlet IRNA said.
Speaking from inside the prison, Tehran’s governor told state TV that there was a riot in a wing of the prison housing petty criminals, and the situation was now completely calm.
Images shared by IRNA reportedly showed the damage inside the prison after the fire.
Dramatic footage of the fire and smoke was first posted on social media on Saturday evening.
Gunshots and explosions were audible in several videos, and in others, people could be heard outside the prison chanting “death to the dictator” – one of the main slogans of the anti-government protest movement.
Agencies