New York Times: Israeli strike on Evin prison sparks outrage across Iran

In a report titled "Israel’s Deadly Attack on Evin Prison Sparks Widespread Outrage, Even Among Government Opponents," The New York Times details the aftermath of the Zionist regime’s aggression against Evin Prison.

Describing the state of the prison buildings, the newspaper writes: "Ceilings, walls, and wooden cabinets in the prison’s office sections have been reduced to rubble."

The report continues: "Burned papers and colorful prisoner files were scattered among the broken bricks and tangled wires of the prison’s administrative building. Hospital beds and medical equipment were covered with shards of glass."

The New York Times emphasizes that the attack on Evin Prison triggered widespread condemnation and outrage from Iranians, even among opponents of the government.

Citing published figures, the report states that 79 people were killed and dozens injured in the Zionist regime’s attack on Evin Prison, warning that the casualty count is expected to rise.

The report notes that at the time of the attack, many people were present in the various buildings of Evin Prison. According to Iranian media reports, human rights groups, and activists, among the dead and wounded were visiting family members of prisoners, social workers, a lawyer, several doctors and nurses, a five-year-old child, young conscript soldiers guarding the prison gates, administrative staff, and residents of nearby homes.

Reiterating the condemnation of Israel’s actions, The New York Times reports that inside Iran, prisoners, their families, lawyers, and human rights activists have described the attack as a blatant disregard for the lives and safety of detainees.

The report highlights that the prison, at the time of the assault — midday on a working day — was full of visitors, lawyers, medical personnel, and administrative staff.

Regarding the sources for its narrative, The New York Times states that the report’s details are based on numerous interviews with dozens of prisoners’ family members, defense lawyers, former prisoners still in contact with current detainees, written testimonies from current prisoners, photographs and videos from independent journalists, and reports from Iranian domestic media.

The report also recounts the tragic deaths of Zahra Ebadi, a social worker at Evin, and her 5-year-old son, Mehrad. It explains that Ebadi had been unable to find childcare for her son that day and had brought him to work with her.

Quoting Tahereh Pazhohesh, a relative of Ebadi who spoke to Iran’s Shargh newspaper, The New York Times writes: "While Zahra was handling administrative tasks, Mehrad was playing in the visitation hall."

According to Ms. Pazhohesh’s account, Zahra Ebadi ran toward her son after the first explosion, but was killed by the subsequent blast. A male colleague who had picked up Mehrad to protect him also perished when the second explosion caused the building to collapse. Four other female social workers were also killed.

Quoting Iranian media, The New York Times states that at least two key sections of the prison were directly hit: the three-story visitation building near the main entrance, which housed the Prosecutor’s Office, and the prison’s 47-bed hospital.

According to the report, the research organization Forensic Architecture analyzed satellite images and concluded that at least six strikes hit Evin Prison, with four matching photographs taken on the ground. Dormitories, the library, grocery stores, and food storage facilities were also destroyed.

The New York Times adds that photos and videos show the blasts also caused significant damage to surrounding residential and commercial buildings and nearby vehicles.