For me, hell was not the moment Israel attacked; hell was the moment they wouldn't open the door [of the cell] for us, Motahareh Goonei recalls in an exclusive interview with the BBC. A political activist, Goonei was in solitary confinement in Iran's notorious Evin Prison when it was hit in a targeted attack by Israel on 23 June. Satellite imagery, witness accounts, and verified footage obtained by BBC News Persian reveal new details of the attack in the closing hours of the Israel-Iran war and of those who died. The high-security complex, perched on the northern edge of Tehran, has held thousands of political prisoners over the past half-century. On that day in June, the prison became the site of the deadliest Israeli strike on Iranian soil in terms of civilian casualties. Iranian authorities say 80 people were killed - among them prison staff, inmates, medical workers, visitors, and residents of nearby neighborhoods. In a report published on 14 August, Human Rights Watch said that Israeli air strikes on the prison were unlawfully indiscriminate and amounted to an apparent war crime. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the reason for the attack was that the facility was being 'used for intelligence operations against Israel.' Describing the moment explosions ripped through the compound, Goonei said: 'When I heard the third blast, I was certain there was no way out. I just pounded on the door with all my strength, but it wouldn't open. I thought this is the end of your life - say goodbye.' Freed from her cell by another prisoner, Goonei stumbled into thick, choking smoke. She says that guards initially tried to block inmates from escaping, yet in scenes she described as 'horrific but humanising', prisoners rushed to help injured guards and medical staff in a display of solidarity amidst chaos. BBC analysis indicates Israel attacked Evin with at least six projectiles, damaging at least 28 buildings inside the complex. The IDF claims the strike was targeted at a symbol of oppression against the Iranian people, yet many witnesses described the aftermath filled with bodies and panic. The fate of transgender prisoners remains unknown, raising further humanitarian concerns.
Israel's Deadliest Strike: Unveiling the Attack on Evin Prison
Israel's Deadliest Strike: Unveiling the Attack on Evin Prison
In a gripping account from a former inmate, this article captures the devastation and chaos following Israel's missile strikes on Tehran's notorious Evin Prison, resulting in tragic civilian casualties.
Motahareh Goonei, a political activist, recounts her harrowing experience during the Israeli missile strike on Evin Prison. The attack left 80 dead, including staff and inmates, and raised serious humanitarian concerns as Israeli forces justify the strike due to alleged intelligence operations within the prison. Witness accounts reveal both heroism and horror in the aftermath.
