Amnesty International calls for ‘war crimes’ probe into Israeli strike on Iranian prison

Amnesty International calls for a war crimes investigation into Israel’s deadly air attack on Tehran’s Evin prison during last month’s 12-day war.

The strike, confirmed by Israel, killed 79 people, according to a provisional tally by Iranian authorities.

The toll has not been verified.

The strike destroyed part of the administrative building in Evin, a large, heavily fortified complex in the north of Tehran, which rights groups say holds political prisoners and foreign nationals.

Amnesty International calls the Israeli attack “deliberate” and “a serious violation of international humanitarian law.”

The airstrikes should therefore be “criminally investigated as war crimes,” it says

“The Israeli military carried out multiple air strikes on Evin prison, killing and injuring scores of civilians and causing extensive damage and destruction in at least six locations across the prison complex,” Amnesty says, basing its assessment on what it says were verified video footage, satellite images, and witness statements.

There was nothing to suggest that Evin prison could justifiably be seen as a “legal military objective,” it says.

IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin has previously stated that “within the prison compound, intelligence activity was carried out against Israel, including counter-espionage,” and that the strike was carried out “in a pinpoint manner, to avoid harm to those uninvolved.”

The victims of the June 23 attack reportedly included administrative staff, guards, prisoners, and visiting relatives, as well as people living nearby, according to Iran.

Between 1,500 and 2,000 prisoners were being held at the time in the prison.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.