Iranian sources have reported that following recent Israeli airstrikes, 27 prisoners remain at Evin prison. This comes after a 12-day bombardment during which 75 inmates escaped from the facility. According to a judiciary-affiliated news site, Iranian spokesman Asgal Jahangir stated that out of those who fled, 48 returned voluntarily or were recaptured, and many were incarcerated for minor offenses.
The strikes were part of Israel’s Operation Raisinglion, aimed at dismantling Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Official Iranian accounts suggest that 71 individuals lost their lives during the operation, although some local sources cite a death toll of around 80, including staff, soldiers, and families visiting at that time.
Sey Seydal, an imprisoned Iranian opposition figure who survived the attacks, expressed to his family that being in the prison felt like a “slow death.” He noted that while the bombings didn’t kill them, the conditions of the prison did. Meanwhile, Amnesty International has called for an investigation into these attacks, labeling them a serious breach of international humanitarian law.
In a related note, Iranian authorities have confirmed casualties resulting from the Israeli strike on Evin prison. Amnesty International’s senior director, Erika Guevara Rosas, stated there is significant evidence suggesting that Israeli forces intentionally targeted civilian infrastructure.
Evin Prison has a notorious reputation, often used by Iranian officials to detain protesters under harsh conditions. The U.S. Treasury has previously sanctioned officials linked to human rights abuses within the prison, including the guard known for employing brutal methods against inmates.
