Riot in southern Iran prison leaves dozens injured

Iran Focus: Tehran, Iran, Aug. 12 – Anti-riot police used live ammunition to put down a prison riot in a southern Iranian city on the border with Iraq, according to residents reached by telephone. At least five prisoners escaped from the main prison in the city of Abadan after a full-scale riot broke out on Wednesday night. Iran Focus

Tehran, Iran, Aug. 12 – Anti-riot police used live ammunition to put down a prison riot in a southern Iranian city on the border with Iraq, according to residents reached by telephone.

At least five prisoners escaped from the main prison in the city of Abadan after a full-scale riot broke out on Wednesday night.

The riot started when 20 of the prisoners attacked prison guards at approximately 8 pm and the situation rapidly grew out of hand in the prison, situated in the district of Ahmad-Abad.

Dozens of inmates were injured as anti-riot policemen were called in to deal with the riot.

Prison officials have announced that there is presently calm at the prison.

Extremely harsh prison conditions in Iran have led to many riots in recent years. Iran’s hard-line judiciary acknowledged last month widespread human rights violations in prisons, including the use of torture.