DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A recent attack by Israel on Tehran's Evin prison has resulted in the deaths of at least 71 individuals, according to Iran's judiciary. This notorious facility has housed many political prisoners and dissidents. Asghar Jahangir, a spokesperson for the judiciary, reported the casualty figures on the official Mizan news agency website, noting that the victims included staff, soldiers, prisoners, and family members who were visiting at the time of the attack. The claims surrounding these figures could not be independently verified.
The attack took place on June 23, 2025, just a day before a ceasefire was established between Israel and Iran. It affected multiple buildings within the prison and raised significant concerns among human rights organizations about the safety of the inmates. While the specific reasons behind Israel's targeting of Evin prison remain unclear, it coincided with statements from the Israeli Defense Ministry indicating that attacks were directed at "regime targets and government repression bodies" in central Tehran.
Following the attack, which struck the prison's infirmary, engineering facility, judicial affairs building, and visitation hall, rights groups voiced their concerns. The New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran criticized Israel for launching strikes on a site associated with the Iranian government's repression, stating such actions violate the principle of distinction between civilian and military targets. Concurrently, the group stated that Iran has a legal obligation to safeguard the prisoners within its custody and condemned Tehran's authorities for their inadequate response, which included a failure to evacuate the area, provide medical support, or communicate with families of the victims.
Jahangir mentioned that some of the injured were treated on site, while others were transported to hospitals for further care. Until the recent announcement, Iran had not disclosed any death figures from the incident; however, it was confirmed that Ali Ghanaatkar, a prominent prosecutor known for his harsh treatment of dissidents, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi, was among those killed in the Israeli strike. His death was notable, leading to a large public funeral procession held in Tehran, with plans for his burial to take place at a shrine in Qom.
The attack on Evin prison was part of a broader Israeli campaign, which began on June 13, aimed at crippling Iran's nuclear program. Over the course of 12 days leading up to the ceasefire, Israel claimed to have killed around 30 Iranian commanders and 11 nuclear scientists while attacking eight nuclear-related facilities and over 720 military infrastructure sites. Reports indicated that more than 1,000 individuals lost their lives in these confrontations, with at least 417 of them identified as civilians by the Washington-based Human Rights Activists group.
In retaliation for the Israeli strikes, Iran launched more than 550 ballistic missiles at Israel, a majority of which were intercepted. However, those that did reach their targets caused significant damage and resulted in the deaths of 28 individuals in Israel.
This assault, coupled with the subsequent retaliatory actions and ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, highlights the fragile state of security and human rights in the region, particularly for those imprisoned within facilities like Evin.
