Iran announces arrests over schoolgirl poisonings

Speaking with Iran’s ISNA news agency Monday, parliamentary fact-finding committee member Mohammad-Hassan Asafari said: “Various tests are being carried out to identify the type and cause of the poisonings. So far, no specific information has been obtained regarding the type of poison used.”

Affected students have suffered shortness of breath and nausea, even vertigo. Several have had to be hospitalized.

Deputy Health Minister Saeed Karimi suggested the poisonings may not be the result of gas, but rather “a powder or paste or even a liquid, which when poured over a heater or vaporized by heat can cause complications.”

The most recent case, reported Tuesday, involved 40 schoolgirls in the southeastern city of Zahedan, which has been the site of deadly crackdowns on anti-government protesters.

How have poisonings affected anti-government sentiment in Iran?

The poisonings have further heightened anti-government sentiment in Iran, with citizens demanding action.

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In response, President Ebrahim Raisi last week called the poisonings “the enemy’s conspiracy to create fear and despair” among Iranians and ordered the Interior and Intelligence Ministries to provide continuous updates.

Tehran Chief Prosecutor Ali Salehi on Tuesday said: “Those who spread lies and rumors will be dealt with decisively and legally.”

“In the past week, court cases and charges have been filed against the managers of the Hammihan, Rouydad24 and Shargh media, as well as several individuals,” Salehi added.

On Monday, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called for those behind the “unforgivable crime” to be hunted down “without mercy” and if found guilty of intentionally carrying out attacks, be put to death.

According to the NGO Human Rights Activists in Iran, nearly 20,000 people have been arrested since protests began last September, while at least 527 have been killed by authorities in their efforts to quell the protests.

The Oslo-based NGO Iran Human Rights (IHR) says 109 individuals face execution for their roles in the protests. Four people have already been hanged.

js/jsi (AFP, Reuters)DW