The Tragic Aftermath of the Evin Prison Strikes
After a week since the prison assault: Iran discloses 71 fatalities
Tehran's streets echo with the worry and uncertainty of families whose loved ones were imprisoned in Evin Prison. A devastating attack, spearheaded by Israel, has left at least 71 souls - including prison staff, conscripts, inmates, and relatives of inmates - dead, according to the Justice spokesman Asghar Jahangir in the Mizan justice portal.
Barely a Whisper of Truth
Last Monday, the Israeli air force targeted Evin Prison, allegedly symbolizing a strike against Iran's government. While no independent verification of the extent of the damages is possible, reports suggest that the administrative buildings were the main casualty. Critics, both Iranian activists and former inmates, argue that the attack put the lives of political prisoners at risk. It's worth noting that several Europeans were also detained in Evin Prison.
The Iranian prison in northern Tehran is infamous for mistreating and torturing political prisoners and protesters. Since the attack, details about the damage, the fate of the inmates, and the names of the deceased have remained scarce, with today's planned tour of the prison for journalists getting abruptly canceled.
Loud Silence, Loud Demands
Reports suggest that the administrative building was a primary target, with explosions striking the prosecutor's office, the medical area, and the visitors' hall, where soldiers, lawyers, and relatives of inmates often gathered. Prosecutor Ali Ghanatkar, who played a crucial role in the imprisonment of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, is also believed to be among the dead.
The uncertainty surrounding the prison's fate weighs heavily on families. They've taken to social media, storming the #WhereIsOurPrisoner hashtag, demanding transparency from the judiciary.
The Shift and the Worsening Conditions
Rumors circulate that inmates were transported to other prisons, where conditions are said to be even harsher than the infamous Evin Prison. In the twelve-day war between Iran and Israel, official Iranian figures reported over 620 deaths, including over 20 high-ranking commanders. However, US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) suggests nearly 1,200 fatalities, citing informants and publicly available sources. Israel reported 28 deaths from Iranian attacks.
The desperate struggle for truth continues in the face of an unsolicited war, with the fate of Evin Prison's inmates hanging precariously in the balance.
In the midst of the confusion following the attack on Evin Prison, questions about the safety and whereabouts of political prisoners have risen, sparking urgent demands for transparency from the Iranian judiciary on social media with the hashtag #WhereIsOurPrisoner. The war-and-conflicts between Iran and Israel have raised serious concerns about the conditions of the prisoners transferred from Evin Prison to other facilities, with reports suggesting that the conditions may be even more harsh. This serves as a worrisome addition to the general-news that continues to emerge from the tragic aftermath of the strike on Evin Prison.
