TEHRAN, June 14 (UPI) -- Amid claims by international rights groups of torture, Iran allowed 20 journalists a partial look inside the women's quarters of the Evin prison in Tehran.
No journalists have been allowed inside as observers since 1994, and the move was seen as trying to deflect some criticism before the U.N. Human Rights Council meets next week, The Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.
"We want to change this impression that exists outside of this prison," said Abbas Khamizadeh, superintendent of the facility. "Evin prison of today is not the same Evin prison of several years ago."
Journalists were allowed Tuesday to speak with female inmates but could not visit the men's wings. The Times correspondent said the wing appeared tidy, and none of the women showed signs of abuse.
Many of the 375 inmates were young women serving sentences for having sex with men, which is illegal outside of marriage in Iran, and can result in a sentence of death by stoning.
