Tehran--Judiciary officials have said they plan to move prisons and military bases outside Tehran
The mayor of Tehran hopes to transform the notorious Evin prison in Iran's capital into a public park, after receiving the judiciary's approval.
Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said judiciary chief Ayatollah Sadeq Larijani had agreed to contribute towards the cost.
The prison, covering 43 hectares (106 acres) in the north of city, has thousands of inmates, including many of Iran's political prisoners.
Human rights activists say they have documented systematic abuses there.
Last year, the head of Iran's prison service was replaced amid allegations that inmates at a special wing at Evin used to hold political prisoners, academics, intellectuals and journalists were badly beaten by guards.
Iranian dailies welcomed the Tehran municipality's plans to turn Evin prison into a park.
"Converting the prison into a museum or park has been a long-time wish of many citizens," said the centrist Ebtekar daily. "It is good news as Evin is among the few regions in Tehran that has good weather and the city's residents could make good use of the park."
But many commentators on news websites and social media were critical.
One Facebook user said that the planned park "would reek of blood". "How can I walk in a park which is tied to the bitterest moments of my life," tweeted another.
BBC
