Iran detains 100 people over the poisoning of schoolgirls
In connection with the mysterious poisonings of thousands of schoolgirls, Iran has reported that it has made more than 100 arrests across the country, alleging that the as-yet-unidentified alleged perpetrators may have ties to “hostile” groups.
Since late November, schoolgirls have reported “unpleasant” odors on school grounds and have experienced a wave of symptoms including fainting, nausea, shortness of breath, and other symptoms. Some of these cases have required hospital treatment.
The interior ministry reportedly announced the arrests late Saturday, according to state media, following the suspected poison attacks in more than 200 schools that have alarmed and infuriated students and their parents.
According to the ministry, “More than 100 people who were responsible for the recent school incidents were identified, arrested, and investigated.” IRNA, the state news agency, carried the ministry’s statement.
People with hostile intentions, who want to terrorize the public and schoolchildren, are among those who have been detained.
The ministry continued, “Fortunately, there have been fewer incidents in schools from the middle of the previous week until today, and there have been no reports of sick students.”
The declaration suggested potential ties to the People’s Mujahedin of Iran, also known as Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, an exiled Iranian opposition group with a base in Albania that Tehran labels a “terrorist” organization.
The investigation into these criminals, which has uncovered their potential ties to terrorist groups like the MEK and others, is still ongoing, according to IRNA.
The poisonings began two months into the nationwide demonstrations that erupted in Iran after Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old ethnic Kurd arrested on suspicion of breaking strict dress codes for women, died on September 16. Mahsa Amini was killed.
These protests, which Iran frequently refers to as “riots,” have been attributed by Iran to hostile forces abroad that are connected to its arch-enemies the United States, Israel, and their allies.
According to the most recent official count, more than 5,000 students have been impacted in roughly 230 schools located in 25 of Iran’s 31 provinces.
The ministry reported that arrests were made in the northern provinces of Tehran, Qom, and Gilan; the northeastern province of Razavi Khorasan; the northwest provinces of West Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan, and Zanjan; the western provinces of Kurdistan and Hamadan; the southwest province of Khuzestan; and the southern province of Fars.
Last Monday, the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei demanded that those responsible for the “unforgivable crime” be apprehended “without mercy.”
(TNT)
