• Ar
  • Es
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Feature
  • Videos
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Feature
Videos
Infographs
In Pictures
  1. Home
  2. News
  3. MENA
  4. Iran Chief Justice: Evin prison fire perpetuated by 'enemy agents'
MENA

Iran Chief Justice: Evin prison fire perpetuated by 'enemy agents'

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Al Mayadeen English + Agencies
  • 17 Oct 2022 20:06

The head of the judiciary in Iran Mohsen Ejei says that the recent fire that broke out in Evin prison in Tehran and resulted in 8 deaths among inmates was perpetrated by enemy agents and that calm returned to the prison

  • Secretary of Iran's High Council for Human Rights Kazem Gharibabadi inspecting Evin prison in Tehran after the fire. (IRNA)
    Secretary of Iran's High Council for Human Rights Kazem Gharibabadi inspecting Evin prison in Tehran after the fire (IRNA)

The Head of the Judiciary in Iran, Mohsen Ejei, confirmed in a statement on Monday that the fire that occurred in the Evin prison in the Iranian capital Tehran on Sunday night was perpetrated and carried out by a "group of enemy agents".

"What happened in Evin prison is a crime carried out by a number of enemy agents," Ejei said, explaining that, "during the incident, a number of prisoners set fire to one of the workshops that we established to provide job opportunities for prisoners in order to help their families, and the meeting hall in the prison was also burned down."

Read more: US to take 'aggressive steps' to support rioters in Iran

He continued, "communication was established between all prisoners and their families after the fire occurred," stressing that "there is not a single prisoner left who did not call and reassure his family of his health condition".

The Chief Justice also stated that "it is funny that the American President talks about Iran despite the many precedents of his country in committing crimes over the past decades against people around the world."

Read more: Iran: About 45,000 people, foreign intelligence services behind riots

On his account, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani, commenting on the Evin prison fire incident, stressed that "taking unfounded positions and rushing to release judgments by the United States about the Evin prison fire is unacceptable".

Read more: US, 'Israel' behind riots in Iran: Khamenei

"Iran is a country that bears its responsibilities, and this could happen anywhere else," Kanaani said.

In a report, Iranian television stated that "the purpose of setting fire to the sewing workshop in Evin prison was to secure the escape of some prisoners charged under crimes and robberies they carried out."

Read more: Two French nationals detained in Iran confess to stirring unrest

Earlier, Tehran governor Mohsen Mansouri announced that "the fire in Evin prison has been contained and calm has returned to it."

Kazem Gharibabadi, Secretary of Iran's High Council for Human Rights, visited Evin prison following the fire to inspect the event.

"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," Gharibabadi posted on his Twitter account, adding 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."

Read more: Iran warned EU against sanctions: Politico

Gharibabadi also confirmed that, "Calm has now been restored in Evin Prison, and the situation is under full control," and that, "All the prisoners are in contact with their families, and those who sustained injuries have received treatment."

"the security and safety of prisoners are of paramount importance. The prison officials have promised to make sure all the rights of prisoners are fully respected," he added.

Earlier on Sunday, Iran's judiciary announced that after a brawl erupted among a few inmates of the Evin prison in Tehran, a fire broke out in one of the workshops, leading security and medical personnel to intervene, that were able to assist 70 convicts caught in flames and transport them to a safe location.

Despite all efforts, 8 prisoners died and more than 60 sustained injuries, 51 of which were treated right away, while the others were hospitalized due to needing medical attention.

  • Evin prison
  • Mohsen Ejei
  • Iran

Trending Now

All
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi shakes hands with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in an official welcoming ceremony at the Saadabad Palace in Tehran, Iran, Monday, March 13, 2023 (Iranian Presidency).

Belarusian President to visit Tehran to boost bilateral development

Most Read

Indonesian president Joko Widodo during an interview in Jakarta in 2016 (Reuters)

Widodo urges Indonesia to abandon Visa, MasterCard to be 'independent'

  • Asia
  • 16 Mar
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen listens to opening remarks before testifying before the Senate Finance Committee about the President's proposed budget request for the fiscal year 2024, Thursday, March 16, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP)

US Debt ceiling ‘must be raised’ ahead of default: Treasury Secretary

  • US & Canada
  • 16 Mar
The Desert of the Real; Russia's SMO a year later

The Desert of the Real; Russia's SMO a year later

  • Europe
  • 14 Mar
Rallies held in Washington DC to protest US militarism

Peace rallies held in Washington DC to protest US militarism

  • US & Canada
  • 18 Mar

Read this

All
Estonian troops parade in Narva, Estonia (AP)
Europe

NATO weighs deploying 300,000 troops on Russia's borders

  • 19 Mar
UK Home Secretary visits Rwanda to push for migrant deportation plan
Africa

UK expands criticized migrant deportation deal with Rwanda

  • 19 Mar
Trucks carrying humanitarian aid are seen at the Bab al Hawa border crossing with Syria on  February 9, 2023. (Reuters)
MENA

Syrian Red Crescent: Militants prevent aid convoys from entering Idlib

  • 19 Mar
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani holds a press conference in Tehran on July 13, 2022. (AFP)
Europe

Iran lambasts French police over excessive violence against protesters

  • 19 Mar
Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS