Iran: Gunshots, fire reported at Tehran's Evin prison

Tehran, Oct 16: A huge fire broke out at a prison in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Saturday night, after nearly a month of protests over the death in custody of Jina Mahsa Amini.

Online videos posted to social media appeared to show smoke rising from the city's Evin prison, which holds political prisoners and dual nationals. Gunshots and chanting can be heard in the background.

It was not clear how the blaze started. An unnamed security official cited by the official IRNA news agency said the unrest occurred in a section of the prison holding "thugs."

IRNA quoted the official as saying the unrest was "under control," and that firefighters were battling the blaze.

Witnesses told the Reuters news agency that roads leading to the prison were blocked, while ambulances arrived at the scene. They added that families of prisoners gathered outside the main entrance.

In 2018, the US government had blacklisted the site, citing "serious human rights abuses."

Source: DW