Tehran, IRNA – Secretary of Iran’s High Council for Human Rights Kazem Gharibabadi inspected Evin prison in Tehran on Sunday while saying that clashes and fires broke out by those incarcerated in Ward No. 7, where thugs and prisoners convicted of violent crimes are held. Hopefully, the fires did not spread to other wards.
Gharibabadi visited various parts of Evin Prison today and held talks with the head of the Prisons Organization about the latest situations of the prisoners.
He wrote on his Twitter account on Sunday that “In my capacity as the Secretary General of the High Council for Human Rights, I just visited different sections of Evin Prison, including its’ health center. I also talked with the Head of the State Prisons Organization regarding the current situation of prisoners”.
“Clashes and fires broke out by those incarcerated in Ward No. 7, where thugs and prisoners convicted of violent crimes are held. Hopefully, the fires did not spread to other wards,” he added.
He further noted that “Calm has now been restored in Evin Prison, and the situation is under full control.”
“All the prisoners are in contact with their families, and those who sustained injuries have received treatment,” he highlighted.
Gharibabadi underlined that “the security and safety of prisoners is of paramount importance. The prison officials have promised to make sure all the rights of prisoners are fully respected”.
According to the judiciary, following a clash among some prisoners of the Evin prison, a fire erupted in a workshop, prompting security and health forces to help stop the skirmish. They also helped send 70 prisoners engulfed in the fire to a safe place; however, four prisoners lost their lives and 61 others were injured.
51 of the injured were treated immediately and 10 others were hospitalized.
According to the report, the four prisoners who lost their lives in the fire were among those who were imprisoned on charges of theft.
The on-time presence of Tehran prosecutor, the head of the prison organization, as well as law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency personnel assisted to save the lives of more than 70 people.
Amid the incident, some prisoners unsuccessfully attempted to escape the prison.
The situation at the Evin prison returned to normal conditions in the early hours of Sunday and prisoners were allowed to make phone calls with their families.
The families of the four prisoners who lost their lives were informed of the incident and their names would be publicized after judiciary permission.
Source: Islamic Republic News Agency – IRNA
