Iran's Evin Prison Housing Protestors Catches Fire, Death Toll Reaches 8

Iran’s notorious Evin prison is housing supporters of the protests that took place after Mahsa Amini’s death. The fire broke out on Saturday night and initial reports revealed that four prison inmates injured in the fire passed away. Now, the death toll has reached eight.

Iran witnessed anti-government protests after Amini died in the custody of the morality police after she was detained for allegedly wearing her hijab improperly.

Iran Prison Fire

Violent crackdowns by Iranian authorities have resulted in the death of protestors. According to Iran Human Rights, at least 201 people have been killed due to the crackdowns. Numerous dissenters, including journalists, activists, and protestors have been detained and several of them are being detained at Evin prison.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least 40 journalists have been detained.

Journalist Niloofar Hamedi was arrested during the Mahsa Amini protests for breaking the news about her death and reporting on her treatment by Iran’s morality police. Hamedi’s Twitter account, where she had posted the photograph of Amini’s parents hugging and crying in the hospital was suspended. She was arrested by security forces on September 21 and is being held in solitary confinement in Evin prison.

Her husband took to Twitter and wrote that he spoke with Hamedi. He wrote, “She told me she didn’t know what had happened at Evin last night but said that she heard the terrifying sounds and thought something terrible happened.”

Gunshots and explosions were heard during the fire at Evin prison according to footage posted on social media. The fire broke out amid "riots and clashes" in the prison according to Iran state media.

The judiciary's Mizan Online website said "the total number of victims of the fire and the clash between prisoners has reached eight". Prisoners' relatives and rights groups voiced their fear for inmates and said authorities used tear gas at the facility.

Some media channels and social media platforms stated that government officials set the prison "ablaze intentionally".

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