In Iran, more than 100 schoolgirls were arrested for being drunk

More than 100 people have been arrested in Iran as part of an investigation into the poisoning of thousands of schoolgirls, an incident that shocked the country, authorities said.

“More than 100 people suspected of incidents at schools have been identified, arrested and questioned,” the interior ministry said in a statement carried by the official IRNA news agency.

The ministry clarified that some of those arrested had “hostile motives” with the aim of “creating an atmosphere of fear among students and closing schools.” Without revealing further details, the file said the arrests took place in several provinces, including Tehran and Qom (in the north).

Authorities also cited “possible links to terrorist organizations” and named the People’s Mojahedin of Iran (MEK), an exile movement based in Albania.

Since the end of September, cases of poisoning with gas and toxic substances have been reported in many girls’ schools, which caused nausea, breathing problems and fainting in female students. Some needed hospitalization.

Authorities said more than 5,000 students were affected in nearly 230 schools in 25 of the country’s 31 provinces.

The announcement states that the number of incidents has “significantly decreased” since last week, no new cases have been registered.

The wave of drunkenness caused a great commotion in the country. The families have mobilized and are demanding a response from the government.

On March 6, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called the poisonings “unforgivable crimes” and called for “severe punishments,” including the death penalty, for those responsible for the poisonings.

The first cases of drunkenness were reported two months after nationwide protests began on September 16 over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died in the custody of the morality police after allegedly being arrested. violating the dress code of the country.

© Agence France-Presse