Iran’s judiciary has announced that at least 71 people perished in an Israeli attack on Tehran’s notorious Evin prison on June 23rd. The attack, which occurred a day before a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, targeted several prison buildings, raising serious concerns among human rights groups about the safety of inmates. The victims included prison staff, soldiers, prisoners, and visiting family members, according to Judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir’s statement on the Mizan news agency website.
While the Iranian government’s claims haven’t been independently verified, the reported casualties include top prosecutor Ali Ghanaatkar, whose harsh prosecution of dissidents drew international condemnation. A large public funeral was held for him on Saturday. The attack reportedly damaged the prison’s infirmary, engineering building, judicial affairs section, and visitation hall, resulting in significant loss of life and injury.
The reasons behind Israel’s targeting of Evin prison remain unclear. However, the Israeli Defense Ministry stated that the day’s actions involved attacks on “regime targets and government repression bodies in the heart of Tehran.” The news of the prison attack was quickly overshadowed by a subsequent Iranian attack on a U.S. base in Qatar, which thankfully resulted in no casualties, and the subsequent announcement of the ceasefire.
The Center for Human Rights in Iran criticized the Israeli strike, arguing that it violated the principle of distinction between civilian and military targets. The group also condemned the Iranian authorities for their alleged failure to evacuate prisoners, provide adequate medical assistance, or properly inform families following the attack.
Jahangir reported that some injured individuals received on-site treatment, while others were transported to hospitals. The scale of destruction and the high number of reported casualties paint a grim picture of the incident. The lack of independent verification makes it difficult to fully assess the situation, however, the incident raises profound questions about the ongoing conflict and its devastating impact on civilian populations.
This attack comes in the wake of a broader 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, which began on June 13th with Israeli strikes aimed at dismantling Iran’s nuclear program. Israel claims to have eliminated numerous Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists, as well as striking numerous military sites. This resulted in a retaliatory attack from Iran involving over 550 ballistic missiles, many intercepted but causing significant damage and casualties in Israel. The ongoing tensions and the lack of transparency surrounding the Evin prison attack highlight the complex and volatile nature of the current situation in the Middle East.
