In brief
In a shocking account, Motahareh Goonei, an inmate at Evin Prison during the attack, recounts the terrifying moments of the Israeli strike that left 80 people dead, shedding light on the aftermath and conditions during the chaos. BBC News Persian's investigation highlights the alleged war crimes and deteriorating conditions for political prisoners.
For me, hell was not the moment Israel attacked; hell was the moment they wouldn't open the door [of the cell] for us, recalls Motahareh Goonei in an exclusive interview. A political activist, Goonei was in solitary confinement when Israeli missiles targeted Evin Prison on June 23, marking the deadliest strike on Iranian soil in terms of civilian casualties. Satellite imagery and eyewitness accounts reveal the extent of destruction, with Iranian authorities reporting 80 fatalities among staff and inmates. Human Rights Watch claims the assault violates international laws, calling it a war crime, while the Israel Defense Forces justified the attack as a response to intelligence threats. Eyewitness accounts detail a scene of chaos and humanity as prisoners aided injured guards amidst the turmoil. The attack sparked outrage regarding the treatment of prisoners, especially transgender inmates, with their fates still unknown.
