• Damage caused by a fire in the notorious Evin prison, north-west of Iranian capital Tehran. AFP
    Damage caused by a fire in the notorious Evin prison, north-west of Iranian capital Tehran. AFP
  • Eight prisoners were killed and more than 60 were injured in the blaze. AFP
    Eight prisoners were killed and more than 60 were injured in the blaze. AFP
  • An Evin prison workshop following the fire. AP
    An Evin prison workshop following the fire. AP
  • The site of clashes in a ward of the notorious jail, which holds political prisoners and dual-national detainees. AP
    The site of clashes in a ward of the notorious jail, which holds political prisoners and dual-national detainees. AP
  • A fire truck stands in front of a charred building after a fire broke out at the prison. EPA
    A fire truck stands in front of a charred building after a fire broke out at the prison. EPA
  • Inside Evin prison a few hours after the fire. AFP
    Inside Evin prison a few hours after the fire. AFP
  • The blaze has caused significant damage to the prison. AFP
    The blaze has caused significant damage to the prison. AFP
  • Iranian state media quoted a security official blaming 'criminal elements' for unrest in the jail. AFP
    Iranian state media quoted a security official blaming 'criminal elements' for unrest in the jail. AFP
  • The Iranian judiciary said a prison workshop was set on fire 'after a fight among a number of prisoners convicted of financial crimes and theft'. AFP
    The Iranian judiciary said a prison workshop was set on fire 'after a fight among a number of prisoners convicted of financial crimes and theft'. AFP
  • A fire engine drives towards the fire. AFP
    A fire engine drives towards the fire. AFP
  • Smoke rises from Evin prison in Tehran. AFP
    Smoke rises from Evin prison in Tehran. AFP
  • Flames and thick smoke engulf the prison, which is in the north-west of the Iranian capital. AFP
    Flames and thick smoke engulf the prison, which is in the north-west of the Iranian capital. AFP
  • The fire broke out amid protests across Iran over the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, following her arrest by the country's morality police. AFP
    The fire broke out amid protests across Iran over the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, following her arrest by the country's morality police. AFP
  • Amini died on September 16. AFP
    Amini died on September 16. AFP
  • Iranian protesters gather on a road leading to the Evin prison. AFP
    Iranian protesters gather on a road leading to the Evin prison. AFP
  • Protests have been held in cities across Iran after Amini's death. AFP
    Protests have been held in cities across Iran after Amini's death. AFP
  • Iranian students chant 'freedom' at the University of Science and Culture in Tehran. AFP
    Iranian students chant 'freedom' at the University of Science and Culture in Tehran. AFP
  • Students sing the national anthem during a sit-in at the Art University in the central city of Isfahan. AFP
    Students sing the national anthem during a sit-in at the Art University in the central city of Isfahan. AFP
  • More students in the rally at Tehran's University of Science and Culture. AFP
    More students in the rally at Tehran's University of Science and Culture. AFP

US citizens detained in Iran safe after Evin prison fire


Willy Lowry
  • English
  • Arabic

American citizens being held in Iran’s Evin prison were not hurt when a deadly fire broke out at the notorious detention centre, the US Department of State said on Monday.

“The detained US citizens in Iran are accounted for and they are safe,” said Vedant Patel, a spokesman at the State Department.

Eight people have been confirmed killed in the fire, which broke out during a fight between prisoners in a sewing workshop, according to Iran's judiciary.

On Monday, Iran's chief justice blamed “enemy agents” for being behind the fire, which occurred as anti-government protests engulfed the country.

Several Americans are being held in Iran. These include Emad Sahrgi, an Iranian-American detained since 2018, and Siamak Namazi, a dual citizen who was recently released on furlough only to be returned to Evin prison last week.

The State Department once again called on Iran to release “all wrongfully detained US citizens”, Mr Patel said.

Marathon results

Men:

 1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13 

2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50 

3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25 

4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46 

5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48  

Women:

1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30 

2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01 

3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30 

4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43 

5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01  

How to get exposure to gold

Although you can buy gold easily on the Dubai markets, the problem with buying physical bars, coins or jewellery is that you then have storage, security and insurance issues.

A far easier option is to invest in a low-cost exchange traded fund (ETF) that invests in the precious metal instead, for example, ETFS Physical Gold (PHAU) and iShares Physical Gold (SGLN) both track physical gold. The VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF invests directly in mining companies.

Alternatively, BlackRock Gold & General seeks to achieve long-term capital growth primarily through an actively managed portfolio of gold mining, commodity and precious-metal related shares. Its largest portfolio holdings include gold miners Newcrest Mining, Barrick Gold Corp, Agnico Eagle Mines and the NewMont Goldcorp.

Brave investors could take on the added risk of buying individual gold mining stocks, many of which have performed wonderfully well lately.

London-listed Centamin is up more than 70 per cent in just three months, although in a sign of its volatility, it is down 5 per cent on two years ago. Trans-Siberian Gold, listed on London's alternative investment market (AIM) for small stocks, has seen its share price almost quadruple from 34p to 124p over the same period, but do not assume this kind of runaway growth can continue for long

However, buying individual equities like these is highly risky, as their share prices can crash just as quickly, which isn't what what you want from a supposedly safe haven.

T20 World Cup Qualifier

Final: Netherlands beat PNG by seven wickets

Qualified teams

1. Netherlands
2. PNG
3. Ireland
4. Namibia
5. Scotland
6. Oman

T20 World Cup 2020, Australia

Group A: Sri Lanka, PNG, Ireland, Oman
Group B: Bangladesh, Netherlands, Namibia, Scotland

Results

2pm: Al Sahel Contracting Company – Maiden (PA) Dh50,000 (Dirt) 1,200m; Winner: AF Mutakafel, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)

2.30pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: El Baareq, Antonio Fresu, Rashed Bouresly

3pm: Shadwell – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Lost Eden, Andrea Atzeni, Doug Watson

3.30pm: Keeneland – Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,000m; Winner: Alkaraama, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi

4pm: Keeneland – Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Lady Snazz, Saif Al Balushi, Bhupat Seemar

4.30pm: Hive – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

5pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – (TB) Handicap Dh64,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Lahmoom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

Updated: October 17, 2022, 6:37 PM