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Evin prison fire: Gun shots and sirens heard at notorious detention centre Evin prison fire: Gun shots and sirens heard at notorious detention centre
(about 1 hour later)
Images posted online appear to show a fire at Evin prison. Iran prison fire: Gunshots and sirens heard on videos
Iran prison fire: Gunshots and sirens heard on videos
A fire has broken out at Iran's notorious Evin prison, with footage posted online showing flames and smoke billowing from the area.A fire has broken out at Iran's notorious Evin prison, with footage posted online showing flames and smoke billowing from the area.
Gun shots and alarms have been reported as coming from the jail, the primary site for detaining political prisoners. Gun shots, explosions and alarms have been reported as coming from the jail, the primary site for detaining political prisoners.
An official quoted by state media said "troubles" involving "criminal elements" were to blame for the blaze. An official quoted by state media said "criminal elements" were to blame, but that the situation was under control.
The fire comes as Iran continues to be rocked by its most intense unrest in decades. Iran has been gripped for weeks by anti-government protests.
Protests have been taking place in at least a dozen cities across the country once again on Saturday.
They first erupted last month when anger over the death in police custody of 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian Mahsa Amini boiled over. Officials say she died from an underlying health condition, but her family say she died after being beaten by morality police.They first erupted last month when anger over the death in police custody of 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian Mahsa Amini boiled over. Officials say she died from an underlying health condition, but her family say she died after being beaten by morality police.
BBC Persian's Rana Rahimpour says we do not yet know if the situation at the prison is linked to the recent demonstrations, but it easily could be because hundreds of the protesters have been sent to Evin. Inmates there will be fully aware of how intense the situation is in the country, Ms Rahimpour reports.
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Hundreds of those detained during the protests have reportedly been sent to Evin.
Anti-government monitoring group 1500tasvir posted videos of the fire online, in one of which chants of "death to the dictator" - one of the main slogans of the anti-government protest movement - could be heard in the background.Anti-government monitoring group 1500tasvir posted videos of the fire online, in one of which chants of "death to the dictator" - one of the main slogans of the anti-government protest movement - could be heard in the background.
The state news agency said that the inmates in one of the wings had set fire to one of the storage rooms of the prison, however, the BBC is unable to independently confirm this report. Another video posted on social media appears to show objects being fired into the prison from outside its perimeter and an explosion is then heard, according to BBC Persian.
Official news agency IRNA also said the unrest which led to the fire was over and quoted an unnamed official as saying that "troubles" erupted between inmates and guards in the section of the prison holding "thugs", appearing to suggest that political prisoners were not involved. Iranian media, which is strictly controlled by the government, reported that the riot started with financial and criminal prisoners and that no political prisoners were involved. The fire broke out in a prison workshop but is being put out, and the rioters have been separated from other prisoners, it said.
"The situation is currently completely under control," IRNA quoted the unnamed source as saying. It added that no deaths had been reported and eight people were injured. The BBC was unable to verify these figures.
Riot police were seen entering the prison and state media also reported that firefighters are at the scene, while there are reports that special forces have been deployed to the area. The families of some prisoners have told BBC Persian that they are unable to get through to their relatives on the phone, and that internet connection around the prison also appears to have been cut off.
Security forces are also reported to have closed the roads leading to the prison. BBC Persian also says that the streets leading to the prison are closed.
A witness told Reuters news agency that "families of prisoners have gathered in front of the main door". Earlier, videos showed riot police entering Evin and there are reports that special forces have been deployed to the area. A witness told Reuters news agency that ambulances were also there.
They added: "I can see fire and smoke. Lots of special forces. Ambulances are here too." Images posted online appear to show a fire at Evin prison.
As well as political prisoners, journalists, and many dual and foreign nationals are also imprisoned in Evin. Smoke can be seen rising from Evin prison.
As well as political prisoners, journalists and many dual and foreign nationals are also held at the prison.
British-Iranian dual nationals Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori were both held on spying charges, which they denied, before their release earlier this year. They were imprisoned for six and five years respectively.British-Iranian dual nationals Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori were both held on spying charges, which they denied, before their release earlier this year. They were imprisoned for six and five years respectively.
The prison has long been criticised by Western rights groups. 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.The prison has long been criticised by Western rights groups. 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.
A group of hackers calling themselves Edalat-e Ali (Ali's Justice) posted videos in August last year of leaked surveillance footage from Evin prison showing guards beating or mistreating inmates.A group of hackers calling themselves Edalat-e Ali (Ali's Justice) posted videos in August last year of leaked surveillance footage from Evin prison showing guards beating or mistreating inmates.
A person places a candle during a demonstration in solidarity with the protesters.
Since the death of Ms Amini five weeks ago a wave of protests have swept across Iran in the boldest challenge to the Islamic Republic since its establishment, in 1979.
Iran's Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) estimates at least 222 people have been killed during the widespread demonstrations sparked by the death in custody of Ms Amini, detained for allegedly breaking rules on headscarves.
Many of those who have died have been teenagers.