More than 100 people have been arrested by the government of Iran over an investigation into the poisoning of hundreds of schoolgirls in the city of Qom. The young women have been poisoned in recent months to provoke the closure of educational centers. The information was confirmed by government agencies on the night of Saturday 11.
Among those arrested are some who had the “intent to create a climate of fear among female students and close schools,” according to the government. The police are still investigating whether the prisoners are linked to terrorist organizations.
Since the end of last year, many female schools have registered intoxications, with toxic substances and gases, which caused nausea, respiratory problems and fainting in students. Some of them were hospitalized.
In total, authorities reported that more than 5,000 students were affected in 230 schools. Of the country’s 31 provinces, 25 suffered the attacks. A government statement explained that, since last week, the number of poisonings “has decreased significantly”. Also, that there were no new cases. Families continue to demand responses from the authorities.
Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, has publicly condemned the poisoning of the students, even calling for the death penalty to punish those responsible. He described the crimes as “unforgivable”.
The poisonings began two months after protests broke out across the country. Protesters were demanding justice for the death of young Mahsa Amini, 22, who was taken into custody by the moral police and died. Authorities reported that the girl was not wearing the Islamic headscarf correctly.