Unprecedented Hardship for Iranian Detainees Following Israeli Airstrikes

Detainees moved from Tehran's Evin Prison, targeted by Israeli airstrikes, report severe overcrowding and inadequate living conditions in newly assigned facilities, sparking concern among human rights advocates.

In a stark escalation of humanitarian concerns, Iranian detainees transferred from Evin Prison after a recent Israeli airstrike have reported deplorable conditions in their new surroundings. Following the airstrikes executed on June 23, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of 80 individuals, including prisoners and staff, those displaced are now facing overcrowding, inadequate sanitary facilities, and severe pest infestations in the locations where they have been reassigned.

Accounts from families of the detainees, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, reveal that many former Evin inmates have been moved to the Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary, known colloquially as Fashafouyeh Prison. Here, they contend with overcrowded cells, a lack of basic amenities, and extreme temperatures without air conditioning. Some detainees sleep on the floor due to a shortage of beds, enduring conditions that activists and family members describe as inhumane.

Official reports state that the Israeli military targeted Evin Prison, a facility criticized for holding political prisoners, human rights advocates, and journalists, suggesting it played a role in counter-intelligence activities. The Israeli government maintains the attack was executed with high precision to minimize civilian casualties, but this claim is heavily contested. Iran has denounced the strikes as war crimes.

International rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have demanded investigations into what they deem serious violations of humanitarian law, asserting that Evin Prison was a civilian facility lacking any legitimate military justification for being targeted.

Testimonies from those recently transferred indicate a grim reality. Various detainees now share cells with violent offenders, a tactic human rights organizations claim is designed to harass and intimidate political prisoners. Sadia Bahrami, a 62-year-old members of the Baha'i community transferred to Qarchak Prison, expressed despair over her new living conditions, stating that the cramped quarters leave little room for essential activities, compounded by inadequate medical care for elderly detainees.

The repercussions of the airstrikes extend beyond the prison walls. The BBC has confirmed at least seven civilian deaths related to the attacks, including that of Mehrangiz Imenpour, a 61-year-old painter, who was inadvertently caught in the violence while out for errands. Family members describe the trauma inflicted by the conflict, emphasizing the need for accountability from both involved states.

As reports from the ground continue to describe alarming conditions, the international community is urged to advocate for the humane treatment of detainees and an investigation into potential breaches of human rights and international law. The situation at Fashafouyeh and other facilities reflects a dire need for reform and greater oversight of inmate welfare in Iran.