There were multiple reports of gunfire within the facility. Source: Twitter.
Iranian officials have said that eight people have died in a fire that broke out at the Evin prison, which is known to hold many of Iran’s political prisoners.
Through the judiciary’s Mizan news agency, the reports are the death toll has climbed from four to eight after a fire tore through the facility in Tehran on Saturday night.
It’s been alleged by the state that the fire broke out as a result of a fight between inmates in the prison’s workshop and that all prisoners who died were people who had been serving time for theft.
On Saturday night, a massive fire, explosions, and shootings erupted inside Tehran’s Evin prison. Evin holds thousands of prisoners, including prominent human rights defenders, journalists, and others who should not have been jailed in the first place. https://t.co/wdILJzlEXQ pic.twitter.com/jQVPGf4Wm7
— Human Rights Watch (@hrw) October 17, 2022
Some of the prisoners reportedly died from smoke inhalation.
The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reports that 61 people were injured and about 10 were taken to hospital in serious but stable conditions.
Iran has denied that the fire is connected to the current protests happening around the country that are opposing the Islamic regime and the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini and countless others who have been killed in demonstrations.
Tehran’s prosecutor Ali Salehi said, “Today’s conflict of prisoners has nothing to do with the recent riots, and basically, the ward related to security prisoners is separate and distant from the prisons of thieves and financial convicts where the fire and conflict took place”.
#BREAKING Satellite photos show the extent of damage to Tehran's notorious Evin Prison following the Saturday evening's fire which has so far killed eight people, according to Iran's Judiciary.
Images via @Maxar pic.twitter.com/CPSJwlTD0y
— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) October 17, 2022
However, others have opposed the idea the fire was started by inmates and believe it was deliberately done by the state as many protestors have been sent to Evin Prison.
The Washington Post journalist and host of the #544 Days podcast Jason Rezaian, who was also detained in Evin Prison after been found guilty of espionage by Iran, said that the facility is politically significant.
“Evin is no ordinary prison. Many of Iran’s best & brightest have spent long stretches confined there, where brave women and men are denied their basic rights for speaking truth to power. The regime is responsible for what happens to those inside right now,” he said on Twitter.
Evin is no ordinary prison. Many of Iran’s best & brightest have spent long stretches confined there, where brave women & men are denied their basic rights for speaking truth to power. The regime is responsible for what happens to those inside right now. pic.twitter.com/W1vvqzKujd
— Jason Rezaian (@jrezaian) October 15, 2022
Also condemning the fire, is Agnes Callamard who is the Secretary General for Amnesty International.
“The notorious #Evinprison in Iran is reported to be on fire with gunshots heard. This must be terrifying. Lets recall that the authorities have the legal obligation to respect and protect the lives and well being of all prisoners,” she said.
Family and friends of the prisoners gathered outside the facility on Sunday demanding answers as to what happened to their loved ones. Some were eventually allowed inside to talk to officials.
