Four prisoners have died and 61 have been wounded following a major fire at Iran's notorious Evin prison, according to an Iranian state news agency. The actual number is believed to be higher.
A huge fire has broken out on Saturday night at Iran's notorious Evin Prison, where political prisoners and anti-government activists are kept in the capital Tehran among other detainees.
Gunfire also heard as huge blaze was seen at Iran’s notorious jail amid nationwide anti-regime protests. The first reports of gunfire were at 7.30pm local time.
“Gunshots can be heard from Evin prison and smoke can be seen,” reported the activist website 1500tasvir, which also shared video footage it said showed special forces on motorbikes heading for the prison.
The prison has long been criticised by western rights groups and was blacklisted by the US government in 2018 for “serious human rights abuses”.
Human Rights Watch has accused authorities at the prison of using threats of torture and of indefinite imprisonment, as well as lengthy interrogations and denial of medical care for detainees.
