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TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran said Tuesday 27 inmates were still at
large after an Israeli airstrike last month targeted Evin prison
in the north of the capital, Tehran, local media reported.
The airstrikes were part of Israel’s 12-day bombardment of the
Islamic Republic that killed about 1,100 people. while 28 were
left dead in Israel in Iranian retaliatory strikes.
Judiciary’s news website, Mizanonline, quoted spokesman Asghar
Jahangir as saying 75 prisoners had escaped following the
strike, of which 48 were either recaptured or voluntarily
returned. He said authorities will detain the others if they
don't hand themselves over.
Jahangir said the escapees were prisoners doing time for minor
offenses.
Iranian officials said the Israeli strike killed 71 people, but
local media reported earlier in July that 80 were left dead at
the time, including prison staff, soldiers, inmates and visiting
family members. Authorities also said five inmates died.
It’s unclear why Israel targeted the prison. The Israeli Defense
Ministry had said that 50 aircraft dropped 100 munitions on
military targets “based on high-quality and accurate
intelligence from the Intelligence Branch.”
The New York-based Center for Human Rights had criticized Israel
for striking the prison, seen as a symbol of repression of any
opposition, saying it violated the principle of distinction
between civilian and military targets.
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