Iran says more than 100 arrested over school poisonings
The Hindu
Among those arrested are people with hostile motives and with the aim of instilling terror in the people and students and to close schools, Iran’s Interior Ministry said
Iran has announced more than 100 arrests nationwide over the mystery poisonings of thousands of schoolgirls, charging that the unidentified alleged perpetrators may have links with "hostile" groups.
In the wave of cases since late November, schoolgirls have suffered fainting, nausea, shortness of breath and other symptoms after reporting "unpleasant" odours on school premises, with some being treated in hospitals.
State media reported late on March 11 that the Iranian Interior Ministry had announced the arrests over the suspected poison attacks in more than 200 schools that have sparked fear and anger among pupils and their parents.
"More than 100 people who were responsible for the recent school incidents were identified, arrested and investigated," the Ministry said in a statement carried by state news agency IRNA.
"Among those arrested are people with hostile motives and with the aim of instilling terror in the people and students and to close schools."
Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had last Monday called for the perpetrators of the "unforgivable crime" to be tracked down "without mercy".
The Ministry added that "fortunately, from the middle of the last week until today, the number of incidents in schools has decreased significantly, and there have been no reports of sick students".