DUBAI: Iranian state television released a video apparently showing that calm had returned to Evin prison in Tehran on Sunday after a fire broke out there overnight, amid unrest sparked by Mahsa Amini‘s died in police custody last month.
Iranian authorities said the workshop was set on fire “after a fight between several prisoners convicted of financial crimes and theft”. Evin is holding numerous detainees facing security charges, including Iranians with dual nationality.
Asked about the prison fire, US President Joe Biden told reporters on a Saturday campaign trip to Portland, Oregon that the Iranian government was “so oppressive” and that he was surprised by the courage of the Iranian demonstrators.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Biden interfered in state affairs by showing support for anti-government protests. The authorities responded with a brutal crackdown.
Rights groups said at least 240 protesters were killed in the anti-government demonstrations, including 32 minors. More than 8,000 people have been arrested in 111 towns and villages, Iran’s militant HRANA news agency said on Saturday.
Among the victims are teenage girls whose deaths have become a rallying cry for more protests across the country.
Iran, which has blamed the violence on its enemies at home and abroad, denies that security forces killed protesters. State media said on Saturday that at least 26 members of the security forces had been killed by “rioters”.
The protests have drawn international condemnation, with the United States, Canada and some European countries imposing sanctions on Iranian officials and organizations “involved in suppressing protesters”.
“Saturday … Biden interfered in the affairs of the Iranian state by supporting the riots … In recent days, the US administration has desperately tried to stir up unrest in Iran under various excuses,” the spokesperson said. Foreign Ministry Nasser Kanaani, ISNA reported.
Footage from Evin shown on state television showed firefighters inspecting a workshop whose roof had been damaged by fire. It also showed inmates in their quarters apparently “sleeping as calm was restored”.
State News Agency IRNA said on Saturday that eight people were injured in the fire at Evin prison. But the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Sunday that “no exact official figures for injuries or potential casualties have yet been released.”
Video obtained by Reuters showed protesters marching among traffic towards Evin prison in Tehran on Saturday night and Sunday morning.
Iran’s infamous Evin prison, which holds convicts as well as political detainees, has long been criticized by Western rights groups and was blacklisted by the US government in 2018 for “serious human rights violations”. of man”.
The protests mark one of the boldest challenges to clerical power since the 1979 revolution, with demonstrations spreading across the country and widespread calls for the downfall of the Islamic Republic, though unrest does not appear to be near. to overthrow the system.
Iranian authorities said the workshop was set on fire “after a fight between several prisoners convicted of financial crimes and theft”. Evin is holding numerous detainees facing security charges, including Iranians with dual nationality.
Asked about the prison fire, US President Joe Biden told reporters on a Saturday campaign trip to Portland, Oregon that the Iranian government was “so oppressive” and that he was surprised by the courage of the Iranian demonstrators.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Biden interfered in state affairs by showing support for anti-government protests. The authorities responded with a brutal crackdown.
Rights groups said at least 240 protesters were killed in the anti-government demonstrations, including 32 minors. More than 8,000 people have been arrested in 111 towns and villages, Iran’s militant HRANA news agency said on Saturday.
Among the victims are teenage girls whose deaths have become a rallying cry for more protests across the country.
Iran, which has blamed the violence on its enemies at home and abroad, denies that security forces killed protesters. State media said on Saturday that at least 26 members of the security forces had been killed by “rioters”.
The protests have drawn international condemnation, with the United States, Canada and some European countries imposing sanctions on Iranian officials and organizations “involved in suppressing protesters”.
“Saturday … Biden interfered in the affairs of the Iranian state by supporting the riots … In recent days, the US administration has desperately tried to stir up unrest in Iran under various excuses,” the spokesperson said. Foreign Ministry Nasser Kanaani, ISNA reported.
Footage from Evin shown on state television showed firefighters inspecting a workshop whose roof had been damaged by fire. It also showed inmates in their quarters apparently “sleeping as calm was restored”.
State News Agency IRNA said on Saturday that eight people were injured in the fire at Evin prison. But the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Sunday that “no exact official figures for injuries or potential casualties have yet been released.”
Video obtained by Reuters showed protesters marching among traffic towards Evin prison in Tehran on Saturday night and Sunday morning.
Iran’s infamous Evin prison, which holds convicts as well as political detainees, has long been criticized by Western rights groups and was blacklisted by the US government in 2018 for “serious human rights violations”. of man”.
The protests mark one of the boldest challenges to clerical power since the 1979 revolution, with demonstrations spreading across the country and widespread calls for the downfall of the Islamic Republic, though unrest does not appear to be near. to overthrow the system.
