A huge fire has broken out at Iran's notorious Evin Prison, where political prisoners and anti-government activists are kept in the capital Tehran.
Online videos and local media reported gunshots, as nationwide protests entered a fifth week. The first reports of gunfire were at 7.30pm local time as protests continued to sweep across the country.
“Gunshots can be heard from Evin prison and smoke can be seen,” reported the activist website 1500tasvir, which also shared video footage it said showed special forces on motorbikes heading for the prison.
A witness told Reuters: “Families of prisoners have gathered in front of the main door of Evin prison. I can see fire and smoke. Lots of special forces. Ambulances are here too.”
The prison, which mostly holds detainees facing security charges, has long been criticised by western rights groups and was blacklisted by the US government in 2018 for “serious human rights abuses”.
Human Rights Watch has accused authorities at the prison of using threats of torture and of indefinite imprisonment, as well as lengthy interrogations and denial of medical care for detainees.
