TEHRAN -- The judge investigating the case of a tragic fire in a prison in the northeastern city of Gorgan has issued warrants of arrest for the prison chief and his deputy to face charges of unintentional killing and violation of prison regulations, the press reported here on Tuesday.

IRNA quoted Persian-language 'Hambastegi' that the acting head of the Golestan Justice Department, Majid Elahian, as saying that a bail of 2.250 billion rials (U.S.$280,000) had been set by the judge for each of the defendants. Both, however, have not been able to post the bail and have thus been detained.

Elahian further stressed that the prison officials were arrested in accordance with articles 616 and 295 of the Islamic Penal Code.

He also said that a preliminary investigation into the case is ongoing and that the date of the first hearing will be announced next week.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the judiciary official said that the some 27 complaints have been filed in court against the prison officials by the surviving relatives of the victims.

The tragic fire which broke out in a prison in Gorgan last month claimed the lives of 27 inmates.

The prison's management claimed it was caused by a short circuit.