NEWSRAEL, June 23, 2025 – French President Emmanuel Macron lashed out at Israel for its airstrike on Iran’s notorious Evin Prison, calling it "unacceptable" and claiming it "endangered human lives."
But critics say Macron’s outrage rings hollow — especially given that Evin is internationally known as a center for systematic torture, rape, and illegal detention of political prisoners, including dual nationals from Europe.
The Israeli strike reportedly targeted facilities used by the Iranian regime to imprison and silence dissidents, many of whom have suffered horrific abuse. Multiple reports from Amnesty International and UN human rights experts have documented the rape of female prisoners, forced confessions under torture, and executions without trial — all carried out behind the walls of Evin.
Macron’s anger focused not on the regime’s crimes, but on the risk posed to two detained French nationals — raising accusations of selective morality. "Where was Macron’s outrage when Iranians were being raped, beaten, and hanged in Evin for demanding basic freedoms?" asked one French-Iranian activist.
The French Foreign Ministry echoed Macron’s concern, stating the strike “endangered our citizens.” But critics argue that the real danger comes from the Iranian regime itself, and that Israel’s strike may have disrupted one of the world’s most infamous torture centers.