Israeli strikes on Evin prison

The June 23 Israeli attack on Evin prison was the deadliest in a 12-day Israeli-Iranian conflict. According to Iranian media, activists, and human rights groups, the attack on Evin killed 79 people and wounded dozens, including family members of prisoners visiting them, social workers, a lawyer, doctors and nurses, a 5-year-old child, teenage soldiers guarding the gates as part of their mandatory military service, administrative staff, and residents of the area.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Funeral of Davood Shirvani, Iranian physician killed in Israeli airstrike on Evin Prison.

Shortly after the explosions occurred at Evin Prison, a video surfaced on X and Telegram featuring the hashtag “#freeevin.” The content of the posts and videos seemed to lack authenticity. According to the researchers, these videos were part of an “Israeli deception.”^[4]

Damages and casualties

The Israeli strikes that occurred during visiting hours,^[5] caused extensive damage to the prison, including the destruction of the library, the prisoners' meeting area, the clinic, the prosecutor's office, and several prison cells, which were severely damaged, according to human rights groups and relatives of prisoners. ^[6][5] One of the missiles hit the entrance to the prison, where prisoners often wait to be transferred to the hospital or court. ^[5]

According to Iranian media, activists and human rights groups, among the dead and injured were family members of prisoners, social workers, a lawyer, doctors and nurses, a 5-year-old child, teenage soldiers guarding the doors as part of their compulsory military service, administrative staff and residents of the area. ^[1][2][3] The June 23 Israeli attack on Evin prison was the deadliest in a 12-day Israeli-Iranian conflict. ^[1][6]

Reactions

Airstrikes on Evin Prison, including the hospital wing, sparked widespread condemnation and anger in Iran, even among opponents of the government. ^[1] Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, Iran's human rights activist, said that the Israeli attack "carried out in broad daylight, in front of families and visitors, is clearly a war crime." Ms. Mohammadi has spent decades commuting to and from Evin and is currently on leave. ^[1]

The Israeli military refused to comment on the reason for the attack on Evin or the victims. The attack on Evin has been described by Israeli officials as “symbolic”. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said in a social media post that this was both revenge for Iran's missile attacks and a form of liberating action. ^{[1] [7]}

Amnesty International warned that "Deliberately attacking civilian objects is prohibited under international humanitarian law and would amount to a war crime".^[7]

The French foreign minister said the attack on the prison was "unacceptable" because it put the lives of two French citizens held there at risk. ^[3][7]

Thameen Al-Kheetan, a spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, called the attack " a grave breach of international humanitarian law." ^[1]

Bahar Ghandehari, Director of the Human Rights Protection Department at the Iran Center for Human Rights, condemned Israel's attack on a place protected by international humanitarian. She dismissed Israel's justification for the attack as a symbolic act, calling it "legally baseless" and "morally reprehensible." She said "Israel's calculated attack on Evin constitutes a blatant war crime and a serious breach of international law. It must be held fully accountable. "^[6]