Inhumane Conditions for Iranian Prisoners After Israeli Strikes on Evin Prison

Reports indicate that Iranian prisoners moved from Evin are suffering under dire conditions in other prisons, with overcrowding, inadequate sanitation, and lack of medical care. Families voice concerns over inhumane treatment following the Israeli military's targeted attacks.

Israeli air strikes on Evin prison have resulted in dire repercussions for its former detainees, who now find themselves in inhumane conditions at various institutions following their transfer. Reports have surfaced detailing overcrowding, insufficient bedding, substandard sanitation facilities, and inadequate ventilation in the aftermath of the June 23 attacks, which left dozens dead, including prisoners and prison staff.

Despite authorities' assurances of improved conditions post-attack, eyewitness accounts from families of former inmates reveal that overcrowded cells dominate the situation at the Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary, commonly known as Fashafouyeh. This prison, located approximately 20 miles south of Tehran in an isolated area, has been described by political prisoners as lacking even basic comforts. Family members of an inmate reported that many were forced to sleep on floors amid an infestation of insects.

Video evidence, verified by the BBC, documents the extreme conditions inside Fashafouyeh, highlighting a lack of beds and inadequate space, despite efforts from prison officials to present a different narrative. A dramatic moment unfolded when inmates voiced their dissent against the authorities by chanting slogans during a staged filming, defying the image the officials attempted to portray.

The conditions pose a particular threat to the wellbeing of vulnerable populations, including elderly political prisoners confined alongside those charged with violent offenses—a tactic employed by Iranian authorities intended to intimidate dissenters. Fariba Kamalabadi, a Baha'i detainee, expressed her disdain for her transfer to Qarchak Prison, denouncing the cramped living conditions that have deprived inmates of basic human dignity and medical care.

Reports from humanitarian organizations reveal that the strikes on Evin not only impacted inmates but have also led to civilian casualties, including a five-year-old child and a local painter who was killed by debris from the attack. Such tragedies underscore the collateral damage experienced by innocent civilians caught in the crossfire of international conflicts.

Human rights advocates, including organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, are calling for extensive investigations into these violations of international humanitarian law, terming the assault on Evin prison a potential war crime. As more details come to light concerning the aftermath of the strikes, there are increased calls for accountability and humane treatment of those affected by these geopolitical tensions.