A huge fire has broken out at Iran’s notorious Evin prison – where political prisoners and anti-government activists are held.
Gunshots are reported to have been fired as the blaze took hold at the jail in the capital Tehran on Saturday.
An alarm was heard as the US-based Centre for Human Rights in Iran claimed an “armed conflict” was taking place behind the prison walls.
Shots are said to have first been heard in Ward 7 of the jail, according to unverified reports.
Thick plumes of smoke billowed from the prison, where now freed Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was detained.
At least eight people are said to have been injured in the blaze, but no fatalities have yet been reported, according to state-run IRNA agency.
IRNA reported there were clashes between prisoners and personnel in one ward.
Iran protests: Videos show intensifying crackdown and brutal tactics used on protesters
Iran protests: Videos show intensifying crackdown and brutal tactics used on protesters
Senior Iran official first to publicly criticise regime’s hijab crackdown
A senior security official claimed inmates set fire to a warehouse full of prison uniforms.
The situation is now said to be “completely under control” with work under way to extinguish the flames.
Eyewitnesses said roads to the prison were blocked with at least three explosions heard in the area.
Heavy traffic built up near the prison with motorists honking their horns in solidarity.
The internet is also said to have been blocked after the fire started.
The blaze happened as violent anti-government demonstrations intensified across the country for a fifth week, sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, with children among the dozens dead.
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Fury over Iranian dress code crackdown
International anger erupted when Ms Amini, 22, died in police custody on 17 September after being arrested by morality police in Tehran for allegedly violating the Islamic Republic’s strict dress code.
Iranian officials insist she was not mistreated in custody and previously said she had a heart attack.
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Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe: “The world cannot turn a blind eye to Iran”
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But her family believes her body showed signs of being beaten after she was held.
People including Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe cut their hair in a show of defiance against authorities – despite the risk of imprisonment.
This week, a senior Iranian official became the first to publicly criticise the regime’s hijab crackdown.
Ali Larijani, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, called for a re-think on how girls and women who do not adhere to the Islamic dress code are dealt with.
