Rare Look Inside Iran's Notorious Jail

Associated Press: Iran Opens Doors of Feared Evin Prison

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran opened the doors of its most feared prison to journalists Tuesday, allowing them to interview a jailed Iranian-American academic in a move seen as an effort to blunt criticism of the country's human rights record.

The rare look inside Evin Prison — where inmates were seen swimming in an open-air pool, cooking meals and studying for university exams — contrasted sharply with tales of harsh treatment from some recently released prisoners.

Amnesty International said the tour was not representative of a facility where people have been tortured and political prisoners have been held without charges.

Forty journalists were taken on a 4-hour tour of five cellblocks at the sprawling facility in northern Tehran on the slopes of the Alborz Mountains. The reporters were allowed to talk freely with prisoners in their cells and in the halls. Guards were nearby during the interviews, but did not intervene. Read more.

P.S. Last year, BBC reporters were also allowed to visit the prison.

And here is the human rights lawyers and Nobel laureate, Shirin Ebadi's personal experience in Evin.