Iran’s Interior Ministry said on Saturday more than 100 people
in 11 provinces have been arrested on charges of involvement in the
recent incidents of student poisoning at the country’s schools,
Trend reports
citing Xinhua.
The ministry announced the arrests in a statement published on
its website, listing the provinces as Tehran, Qom, Zanjan,
Khuzestan, Hamedan, Fars, Gilan, West Azarbaijan, East Azarbaijan,
Kurdestan and Khorasan Razavi.
The statement noted for some of the arrestees who used poisonous
substances as a “mischievous” way to escape classes, and the
authorities have given them necessary warnings and
instructions.
Some other arrestees are individuals with “hostile motivations,”
the statement added, noting they sought to cause fear and anxiety
among people and students. The authorities are investigating them
to find out if they are connected to terrorist groups.
More than 700 students in over 30 schools across Iran have
fallen victim to mysterious poisoning cases since Nov. 30, 2022
when the first case was reported in the Qom province. Most of them
were soon released from the hospital after receiving treatment,
according to the official news agency IRNA.