UN considers Israeli strike on Iranian prison a war crime

Sara Hossain, head of the UN fact-finding mission on Iran, has said that last year’s Israeli airstrike on Tehran’s Evin Prison constitutes a war crime. She also warned of the risk of further repression in Iran following the recent US–Israeli airstrikes.

According to Iranian authorities, more than 70 people were killed in the attack on the prison last June. The fact-finding mission reported 80 victims, including one child and eight women.

Evin Prison is known for holding political prisoners. It was also damaged during the latest US–Israeli airstrikes, raising concerns about the safety of detainees, among them a British couple.

Speaking before the UN Human Rights Council, Hossain said there are reasonable grounds to suspect that Israel committed a war crime by intentionally targeting a civilian facility. The mission’s report is based on interviews with victims and witnesses, satellite imagery and other documents.

Israel has withdrawn from the UN Human Rights Council and its seat at the session remained empty. There was no immediate response to requests for comment from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the military.

UN experts also raised concerns about detainees in Iran, including people arrested during protests, as well as shortages of food and medicine in prisons.

(Reuters, Max)