Verified video footage, satellite imagery and interviews with eyewitnesses, prisoners’ families and human rights defenders indicate that 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. The attack took place during the working day, at a time when many parts of the prison were packed with civilians. Hours later, the Israeli military confirmed it had attacked the prison and senior Israeli officials boasted about it on social media. According to the Iranian authorities, at least 80 civilians – 79 men and women and a five-year-old boy – were killed.
Under international humanitarian law, a prison or place of detention is presumed a civilian object and there is no credible evidence in this case that Evin prison constituted a lawful military objective.

“The evidence establishes reasonable grounds to believe that the Israeli military brazenly and deliberately attacked civilian buildings. Directing attacks at civilian objects is strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law. Carrying out such attacks knowingly and deliberately constitutes a war crime,” said Erika Guevara Rosas, Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns.
It is believed that Evin prison held around 1,500-2,000 prisoners at the time of the attack. The attack took place during prison visitation hours.
“The Israeli forces should have known that any air strikes against Evin prison could result in significant civilian harm. Prosecution authorities around the world must ensure that all those responsible for this deadly attack are brought to justice, including through use of the principle of universal jurisdiction.

Between 11am to 12pm Tehran time on 23 June 2025, Israeli air strikes hit multiple locations over 500 meters apart inside Evin prison, destroying or damaging numerous buildings and other structures within the prison complex, as well as nearby residential buildings outside the complex.

Evin prison is located in a populated area with residential buildings to its east and south.
Within hours of the attack, senior Israeli officials boasted about it on social media, framing it as a “targeted strike” against a “symbol of oppression for the Iranian people.”

Under international humanitarian law, direct attacks on civilians and civilian objects are prohibited. Attacks may only be directed at combatants and military objectives. Military objectives are limited to those objects which by their nature, location, purpose or use make an effective contribution to military action and whose partial or total destruction, capture or neutralization, in the circumstances ruling at the time, offers a definite military advantage.

Amnesty International’s Evidence Lab analyzed satellite images from before and after the strikes and verified 22 videos and 59 photographs, which show extensive damage and destruction to six areas in the south, central, and northern parts of Evin prison complex.
Additionally, Amnesty International reviewed statements by Israeli and Iranian authorities and interviewed 23 people inside and outside Iran, including seven prisoners’ relatives; a nearby resident who witnessed the attack; two sources with information about two victims killed; two journalists; and 11 former prisoners. The organization also obtained from a source the recordings of four telephone calls between four prisoners and their families, hours after the attack.

Amnesty International sent questions regarding the attack to the Israeli Minister of Defence on 3 July. At the time of publication, no response had been received.