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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 Iran's notorious detention centre
(about 2 hours later)
Iran prison fire: Gunshots and sirens heard on videosIran prison fire: Gunshots and sirens heard on videos
Iran prison fire: Gunshots and sirens heard on videosIran 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 major fire has broken out at Iran's notorious Evin prison, known for housing political prisoners, journalists and foreign nationals.
Gun shots, explosions and alarms have been reported as coming from the jail, the primary site for detaining political prisoners. Videos shared online show flames and smoke at the site in Tehran, and gunshots and explosions can be heard.
An official quoted by state media said "criminal elements" were to blame, but that the situation was under control. An official quoted by state media said the situation was under control, but video footage appeared to show the fire continuing after this.
Iran has been gripped for weeks by anti-government protests.Iran has been gripped for weeks by anti-government protests.
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 after the death of 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian Mahsa Amini in police custody. Officials said she died of a heart attack, but her family disputed this, saying she was 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. BBC Persian's Rana Rahimpour said it is not yet known whether the situation at the prison is linked to the recent demonstrations.
But this could easily be the case, Rana said, as hundreds of the protesters have been sent to Evin.
State media has suggested the two are not linked, quoting an official who blamed "criminal elements" for the fire.
BBC identifies young people killed in Iran's protestsBBC identifies young people killed in Iran's protests
A really simple guide to the Iran protestsA really simple guide to the Iran protests
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. In a video posted on social media by anti-government monitoring group 1500tasvir, chants of "death to the dictator" - one of the main slogans of the anti-government protest movement - could be heard coming from outside the prison.
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. Another video appears to show objects being fired into the prison from outside its perimeter, and an explosion is then heard, according to BBC Persian.
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. 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. Eight people had been injured, it said.
It added that no deaths had been reported and eight people were injured. The BBC was unable to verify these figures. Speaking from inside the prison, Tehran's governor told state TV that the riot was in a wing of the prison housing petty criminals and the situation was now completely calm.
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. However, the situation at the prison is still confused, reports BBC Persian's Kasra Naji. Videos continue to be posted on social media showing the fire still burning and the sound of gunfire heard around the prison.
BBC Persian also says that the streets leading to the prison are closed. Other pictures show inmates on the roof of a section of the prison where political prisoners and many of the protestors who have been arrested in the past four weeks are kept, Kasra said.
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. The families of some prisoners told the BBC that they were unable to contact their relatives on the phone, and that internet connection around the prison also appeared to have been cut off.
The streets leading to the prison were closed.
Earlier, videos showed riot police entering Evin. There were also reports that special forces had been deployed to the area. A witness told Reuters news agency that ambulances were also there.
Images posted online appear to show a fire at Evin prison.Images posted online appear to show a fire at Evin prison.
Smoke can be seen rising from Evin prison.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 at Evin prison for several years on spying charges, which they denied, before their release earlier this year.
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.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. Some foreign governments whose citizens are being held in the prison have expressed concern.
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. A spokesperson for the US state department said it was following events with "urgency", while the UK Government's security minister called it a "very worrying development".
Since the death of Ms Amini five weeks ago, a wave of protests has swept across Iran in the boldest challenge to the Islamic Republic since its establishment in 1979.
Many of those who have died have been teenagers.Many of those who have died have been teenagers.