Israeli Airstrike on Iran's Evin Prison Condemned by HRW

Beirut, Aug 14 (AP) Human Rights Watch has criticized an Israeli airstrike on Iran's Evin Prison, denouncing it as "an apparent war crime." The organization also accused Tehran of further mistreating and disappearing prisoners after the incident.

Israel targeted the notorious Evin Prison in Tehran on June 23 during a 12-day conflict with Iran. Evin is widely known for holding political activists and dissidents.

The airstrikes, launched during visiting hours, hit key points of the prison, including both southern and northern entrances, as well as other sections housing medical facilities and wards. These attacks resulted in the destruction of several buildings and significant loss of life.

Initially, Iranian authorities reported that at least 71 individuals, comprising civilians like inmates, relatives visiting prisoners, and prison staff, were killed in the strike. This number later rose to 80, according to local media. The rationale behind Israel targeting the prison remains unclear.

Human Rights Watch said the attack was "unlawfully indiscriminate" given the lack of advanced warning or apparent military target. The organization estimates that Evin Prison holds over 1,500 inmates.

"To make matters worse, Israeli forces put at grave risk prisoners who were already victims of Iranian authorities' brutal repression," stated Michael Page, the group's deputy Middle East director.

The rights group alleges that Iranian authorities subjected prisoners to "ill-treatment and violence" during both their evacuation and return to the prison post-strike.

Efforts to contact Iranian authorities for comments were unsuccessful on Thursday due to a public holiday. The Israeli military also did not provide immediate remarks on the Human Rights Watch report.

Following the attack, Iran's authorities evacuated and relocated the prisoners to two different facilities within Tehran province. By August 8, officials claimed that the prisoners were being gradually returned to Evin. Iranian state media reported that the transfers occurred peacefully and without incident.

However, relatives and Human Rights Watch reported otherwise, claiming some political prisoners faced violent treatment, such as beatings and electric shocks, for resisting procedures like handcuffing and separation from other inmates.

There are concerns regarding the apparent disappearance of several prisoners, including Swedish-Iranian doctor Ahmadreza Djalali, who faces the threat of execution. Human Rights Watch indicates that Iranian authorities have withheld information on his current status.

"Iranian authorities should not leverage Israel's attack on Evin prison to subject prisoners, especially those incarcerated without just cause, to further abuse," Page asserted.

The conflict in June, which led to approximately 1,100 deaths in Iran and 28 in Israel, erupted following Israeli airstrikes on key Iranian nuclear and military sites, prompting Iran to launch missiles into Israel. (AP) SCY SCY

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