Iran Protests Spread With Uprising at Prison

Activists say the protest movement sweeping Iran has spread to a Tehran prison seen as a symbol of political repression in a new challenge to the Islamic Republic, with political dissidents Detained ants chanted anti-government slogans before violence broke out and a deadly fire engulfed the facility, activists said.

Authorities said the fire killed four inmates and blamed an escape attempt planned on Saturday on mayhem at Evin Prison, a complex north of Tehran. built by the shah 5 decades ago as a political prison for dissidents and foreigners. A large fire could be seen in Evin from nearby densely populated communities, and loud explosions were heard throughout the night.