This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/564739-iran-evin-prison-fire/

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Iranian prison burns amid protests (VIDEOS) Iranian prison burns amid protests (VIDEOS)
(about 1 hour later)
Tehran’s Evin Prison was on fire on Saturday night, as gunshots rang out A major Tehran penitentiary was on fire on Saturday night, as gunshots rang out
Evin Prison in the Iranian capital Tehran caught fire on Saturday night, with video footage showing smoke and flames rising from the detention center. The blaze broke out amid widespread anti-government protests, which have been ongoing for several weeks.Evin Prison in the Iranian capital Tehran caught fire on Saturday night, with video footage showing smoke and flames rising from the detention center. The blaze broke out amid widespread anti-government protests, which have been ongoing for several weeks.
Videos shared on social media showed the prison compound burning, as an alarm droned and what sounded like gunshots rang out. Several loud explosions were heard as the prison burned.Videos shared on social media showed the prison compound burning, as an alarm droned and what sounded like gunshots rang out. Several loud explosions were heard as the prison burned.
Iran’s IRNA news agency said that the fire broke out following a brawl between inmates and guards, Al Arabiya reported. However, the Iranian government has not yet commented on the incident or released any information on casualties or damage to the facility. Iran’s IRNA news agency said that the fire broke out following a brawl between inmates and guards, Al Arabiya reported. However, the Iranian government has not yet commented on the incident or released any information on casualties or damage to the facility. 
تهران شنبه ۲۳ مهر«اطراف اوین صدای شلیک میادمولوتوف انداختن اوین» #مهسا_امینیpic.twitter.com/EGto2OT6s8تهران شنبه ۲۳ مهر«اطراف اوین صدای شلیک میادمولوتوف انداختن اوین» #مهسا_امینیpic.twitter.com/EGto2OT6s8
“Families of prisoners have gathered in front of the main door of Evin prison,” a witness told Reuters. “I can see fire and smoke. Lots of special forces. Ambulances are here too.”“Families of prisoners have gathered in front of the main door of Evin prison,” a witness told Reuters. “I can see fire and smoke. Lots of special forces. Ambulances are here too.”
تهران شنبه ۲۳ مهر«صدای آژیر اوین، صدای تیراندازی هم میاد. با صدای جیغ مردم» #مهسا_امینیpic.twitter.com/OOketSzz69تهران شنبه ۲۳ مهر«صدای آژیر اوین، صدای تیراندازی هم میاد. با صدای جیغ مردم» #مهسا_امینیpic.twitter.com/OOketSzz69
Evin is believed to house political prisoners, and has long been condemned by Western governments and NGOs. Washington blacklisted the jail in 2018 for “serious human rights abuses,” and a number of dual nationals are believed to be serving sentences there. One of these, an Iranian-American held on espionage charges, was returned to Evin on Wednesday after a brief furlough, Reuters reported, citing the man’s lawyer.Evin is believed to house political prisoners, and has long been condemned by Western governments and NGOs. Washington blacklisted the jail in 2018 for “serious human rights abuses,” and a number of dual nationals are believed to be serving sentences there. One of these, an Iranian-American held on espionage charges, was returned to Evin on Wednesday after a brief furlough, Reuters reported, citing the man’s lawyer.
The fire broke out as anti-government protests in Iran have been ongoing for more than three weeks. The protests began following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in Tehran, and have since spiraled into nationwide riots and calls for the downfall of the Islamic Republic’s hardline government. The fire broke out as anti-government protests in Iran have been ongoing for more than three weeks. The protests began following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in Tehran, and have since spiraled into nationwide riots and calls for the downfall of the Islamic Republic’s hardline government. 
Iranian authorities have accused foreign governments, including the US and Israel, of stoking the unrest. Iranian authorities have accused foreign governments, including the US and Israel, of stoking the unrest.