Mutiny in Tehran: Evin prison shelled with mortars

News » Incidents

A large fire broke out on Saturday in Iran's notorious Evin Prison, known for holding political prisoners, journalists and foreign nationals.

In videos posted online flames and smoke can be seen at the scene in Tehran, and gunshots and explosions are heard.

An official quoted by state media said the situation was under control, but video footage has emerged showing the fire has not stopped since then .

Iran has been gripped by anti-government protests for weeks now.

They first broke out last month after the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian of Kurdish origin, who was detained by the vice police. Officials said she died of a heart attack, but her family disputed this, saying she was beaten by the police.

BBC correspondent Rana Rahimpour said it is not yet known if the situation in the prison is related to the recent demonstrations.

Evyn,” Rana said.

State media speculated that the events were unrelated, citing an official who blamed “criminal elements” for the fire. Eight people were injured, according to state-run IRNA.

television that there was a disturbance in the wing of the prison where petty criminals are kept, and now the situation is completely under control.

In several videos, gunshots and explosions were heard, and in others, people outside the prison were heard chanting “Death to the dictator”; — one of the main slogans of the anti-government protest movement.

According to the BBC Persian service, one of the videos showed objects being released into the prison from outside its perimeter, followed by the sound of an explosion.

Large crowds gathered near the prison, traffic stopped, and special forces entered the prison.

Even after Iranian media said calm had been restored, the situation in the prison was still confused, said BBC Persian's Qasra Naji. Videos continued to surface on social media showing the fire still lights are on and gunshots are heard.

According to Kasra, other photos show prisoners on the roof of the section of the prison where political prisoners and many of the protesters arrested over the past four weeks are being held.

Families of some prisoners have told the BBC that they are unable to reach their relatives by phone, which they can usually do, and that the internet connection around the prison appears to be down.

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