Iran says more than 100 arrested over schoolgirl poisoning | World News

Iran has announced more than 100 arrests across the country over the mysterious poisoning of thousands of schoolgirls, accusing unidentified perpetrators of possible links to “hostile” groups.

In a wave of cases since late November, schoolgirls have fainted, felt nauseous and experienced shortness of breath after reporting “bad” odors on campus, with some being taken to hospital for treatment.

State media reported late Saturday that the Interior Ministry had announced the arrests of more than 200 people suspected of poisoning schools, sparking fear and anger among students and parents.

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“More than 100 people responsible for the recent school incident have been identified, arrested and investigated,” the ministry said in a statement, carried by state news agency IRNA.

“Among those arrested were hostile individuals whose aim was to instill terror in the people and students and to close the school.”

“Fortunately, from the middle of last week to today, the number of incidents in schools has decreased significantly, with no reports of students becoming ill,” the ministry added.

The statement pointed to a possible link to an exiled Iranian opposition group based in Albania that Tehran considers a “terrorist” group, the People’s Mujahideen of Iran or the People’s Mujahideen (MEK).

“Investigations into these criminals, including the discovery of their possible links to terrorist groups such as the MEK and others, are ongoing,” IRNA reported.

The poisonings began two months after protests erupted in Iran on Sept. 16 after Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurd, was arrested on Sept. 16 for allegedly violating strict dress codes for women.

Iran has blamed the protests, often called “riots,” on hostile forces abroad linked to its arch-enemy the United States, Israel and their allies.

The latest official count shows that more than 5,000 students in some 230 schools in 25 of Iran’s 31 provinces have been affected.

The ministry said the arrests took place in Tehran, Qom and Gilan provinces in the north, Razavi Khorasan province in the northeast, West Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan and Zanjan provinces in the northwest and Kurdistan province in the west. and Hamadan Province, Khuzestan Province in the southwest and Fars Province in the south.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last Monday called for a “merciless” pursuit of the perpetrators of the “unforgivable crime”.