About 140 Iranians detained during protests against last month’s disputed election result have been released from Evin prison, officials say. About 200 others, accused of more serious crimes, remain in the prison. The release comes after Iran’s supreme leader ordered the closure of another detention centre because it failed to “preserve the rights of detainees”. The unusual moves show how much pressure Iran’s leaders are under over detainees, correspondents say.
But the BBC’s Jon Leyne says the opposition will be sceptical of the change of heart – though there are many relatives of prisoners desperately anxious to be reunited with their loved ones. Officials also announced on Tuesday that 30 people were killed in clashes between opposition supporters and police – up from a previously stated figure of about 20. Speaking of the prison releases, National Security and Foreign Policy Committee member Kazem Jalali said those released had committed “lighter offences”.
