Inmates at Iran’s Evin Prison clash with staff, set warehouse on fire

By Syed Zafar Mehdi

TEHRAN, Iran (AA) - Fierce clashes were reported between prisoners and prison staff late Saturday at Evin Prison in Tehran, with inmates reportedly setting a clothes warehouse on fire.

Fighting at the high-security prison in northern Tehran's upscale neighborhood was reported at around 9 p.m. local time, according to sources.

Videos were circulated online that showed plumes of smoke rising from the compound followed by intermittent gunfire and sirens.

State-run news agency IRNA confirmed the fighting between inmates and staff and said the fire was the result of a clothes warehouse being set on fire.

It cited a prison official who said at least eight people had been injured.

There has been no official statement from any government official concerning the incident.

Some media reports said inmates burned a sewing workshop at the prison after an altercation with the staff.

Clashes had ended at the time of publication of this report and the fire was contained, state media reported, citing security officials.

Evin Prison is the largest detention center in the Iranian capital that holds thousands of prisoners, including many of those arrested in recent protests regarding the death of Mahsa Amini.

Amini, 22, died in police custody after being detained by Iran's morality police last month for "inappropriate dress."

Her death has sparked widespread protests across Iran in recent weeks, leading to hundreds of arrests. Most of those arrested are lodged at Evin Prison.

But state media said the” thugs” who engaged in clashes and set the warehouse on fire were arrested for financial crimes like theft".

The prison was last in news in August 2021 when surveillance videos were leaked by hackers showing prisoners being beaten by prison guards.

The head of Iran's prisons tendered an apology after the shocking incident, calling it "unacceptable behavior."