Arrest Warrant Issued for 40 Individuals in Evin Prison Fire Case

More than a year after the fire at Evin Prison, the Tehran Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor announced the issuance of arrest warrants and indictments for 40 individuals in this case. Ali Salehi provided this information regarding a case that was opened last October following a nighttime fire at Evin Prison. This judicial official of the Islamic Republic did not provide further details about the names of the accused, their possible positions, or the handling of this case since its formation. On Sunday, October 22 of last year, the media center of the judiciary announced that the fire the previous night at Evin Prison resulted in the deaths of four prisoners and injuries to 61 others. At that time, the judiciary claimed that these individuals 'died as a result of the fire and clashes between some prisoners due to inhalation of smoke from the fire.' Following this incident, Iranian media published conflicting reports about the 'cause of the explosion' and the fire at Evin, even reporting an 'explosion of a mine in Evin Prison.' At that time, the American newspaper Washington Post also examined various aspects of the fire at Evin Prison, stating that for over 40 years, Evin Prison in Tehran has been the most prominent symbol of repression in the Islamic Republic, noting: 'According to state media, on the night of October 15, the widespread fire in this prison left at least eight dead and 61 injured.' Although officials claimed that this fire occurred in a sewing workshop, Atena Daemi, a former prisoner and political activist, stated in an interview with Voice of America at that time: 'The statements of Islamic Republic officials regarding the fire in the sewing workshops are lies because the workshops close before 6 PM and a headcount is conducted.'