Life Behind Bars: Detainees Suffer Unimaginable Conditions Following Israeli Strikes on Evin Prison

One month after Israeli air strikes targeted Iran's Evin Prison, detainees report brutal conditions in their new locations, including overcrowding and insufficient sanitation. Human rights organizations call for accountability as the humanitarian crisis deepens for political prisoners and civilians alike.

In the wake of destructive Israeli air strikes on Evin Prison, Iranian detainees are enduring harsh and alarming conditions in their new holding facilities. On June 23, a significant airstrike resulted in extensive damage to Evin—a prison notorious for housing political dissidents, journalists, and human rights activists—leading to the relocation of many inmates to alternative prisons.

Inmates and their families report enduring overcrowded cells lacking basic amenities such as sufficient beds, air conditioning, bathrooms, and hygiene facilities. Families of those relocated—who spoke anonymously for fear of repercussions—have expressed grave concerns about the living conditions in these new prisons, particularly in sites like Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary, known as Fashafouyeh.

The Israeli military justified the attack on Evin, labeling it a stronghold for oppressive practices against the Iranian populace, while Iranian officials condemned the strikes as a "war crime." The aftermath saw the deaths of at least 80 people, including prisoners and staff, as confirmed by Iranian authorities. Amnesty International emphasized that the attack constituted a serious violation of international humanitarian law, calling for an investigation into crimes against humanity.

Prior investigations into Fashafouyeh reveal that pre-existing conditions were already dire. Following the upheaval, political prisoners now share cells with those convicted of violent crimes—an intimidation tactic that rights groups argue contravenes United Nations standards for inmate treatment. Detainees have reported constant infestations of bedbugs and cockroaches, exacerbated by inadequate sanitation and food supply issues.

Prominent Iranian journalist Mehdi Mahmoodian remarked on the persistent neglect experienced by prisoners, stemming solely from their opposition to prevailing authority. He described how many inmates at Fashafouyeh have been "long forgotten" and condemned to "humiliation, neglect, and oppression."

Among those suffering from the transfer is Fariba Kamalabadi, a Baha'i detainee who expressed her despair about her enforced relocation, stating, "I would rather have died in the attack than be transferred to such a prison." Reports from her family reveal overcrowding has left prisoners scrambling for basic necessities, while visits have been restricted.

The repercussions of the airstrike extend beyond prisoners, as civilian casualties—including a five-year-old and a painter near the prison—underscore the tragic human cost of conflict. Family members of victims have publicly lamented the heavy toll that two nations at war impose on innocent lives, highlighting a need for accountability and resolution amid this troubling humanitarian situation. The ongoing plight of detainees reflects a broader issue of human rights abuses that demands urgent global scrutiny and intervention.