Several were killed and wounded following an Israeli strike on Evin Prison in the Iranian capital, the Iranian judiciary spokesman said on Tuesday, adding that there was extensive damage at the scene.
"Following the damage, several administrative and judicial employees, as well as prisoners and their families, were injured," the spokesman said. He added that "we also had casualties, but their number is not yet known."
Evin Prison, one of whose gates was attacked yesterday by the air force, is among the most notorious symbols of the Iranian regime. The place, which the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) oversees, holds political prisoners and prisoners with foreign citizenship, who are often used as bargaining chips in negotiations with the West.
Severe torture of political prisoners
The attack on Evin, where prisoners are subjected to severe torture, was a signal from Israel that it is expanding its targets to include symbols of rule and oppression.
Iran's judiciary website reported yesterday that "urgent action was needed to protect the safety and security of the prisoners" and claimed that the place was under control. Later, footage from inside the prison walls was released, allegedly showing that the place was running smoothly.
The attack on the prison was condemned by French President Emmanuel Macron, whose two citizens are being held there. France's foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, called for an immediate end to the attacks and for the door to be opened to renewed negotiations.
An airstrike on Iran's Evin prison containing political prisoners on Monday represents a grave violation of international humanitarian law, the UN human rights office said.
"Evin prison is not a military objective, and targeting it constitutes a grave breach of international humanitarian law," UN human rights spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan told reporters in Geneva on Tuesday, without naming Israel.
He said that his office has received reports of fires inside the facility and an unspecified number of injuries.