48 hours have passed and the families are still unaware of the fate of their loved ones in Tehran’s Evin prison. Fires, explosions and heavy gunshots broke out inside the prison complex on Saturday evening, according to witnesses andvideoCome on social. Evin holds thousands of prisoners, including most human rights defenders, journalists, activists and second-rate Iranians, who should not have been imprisoned in the first place.
The cause of the fire in Evin is still a mystery, but according to “Human Rights Activists News Agency” (Hrana), most of the clashes and violence occurred near ward 7, then overnight security forces from outside the prison joined the prison guards to attack the prisoners. The agency went on to say that security forces armed with live rifles and bullets first arrested the alleged protesters and moved the rest outdoors. He forced the prisoners to stand outside, then beat them after having them undress and lie on their stomachs. According to the agency wound About three political prisoners were injured by bird shots. The full number of those injured or arrested and transferred to different sections of the prison is unclear.
Several political prisoners detained in different parts of the prison and who were able to contact their families reported being exposed to tear gas. While dozens of activists and political prisoners have made short phone calls to their families, others remain incommunicado, notably those held incommunicado and in ward 8, also victims of violence.
The government media center for the judiciary reported that the fire broke out in a seminary due to “clashes between prisoners convicted of financial crimes and theft”. According to Position Eight prisoners died of suffocation and 61 others were injured. as reported “Fars news agency“, close to the Iranian intelligence services, said that the explosions came following the escape of prisoners, then immediately denied the news.
Iranian authorities have a shameful record of impunity and their ongoing harsh crackdown on protesters and activists should raise further concern over the violence used against detainees in Evin. The authorities are responsible for the safety and security of all who are behind bars. An independent investigation is urgently needed to shed light on what happened in Evin and the potentially serious violations of the government’s background, but now the authorities should immediately inform families of the health of their loved ones.
