TEHRAN, Iran — Two senior judges known for their rigid enforcement of Iran’s conservative legal standards were killed in Tehran on Saturday, an assassination that highlights the acute tensions simmering within the country. The judges, identified as Mohammad Mogheiseh and Ali Razini, had both been implicated in the mass execution of political dissidents in 1988, a dark chapter in Iran’s history.
The brazen attack, which also left a bodyguard wounded, occurred at the Palace of Justice, the primary building of Iran’s judiciary. This institution typically boasts stringent security measures, underscoring the audacity and calculated nature of the attack. Following the attack, the gunman reportedly took his own life.
Authorities have swiftly launched an investigation to apprehend anyone connected to the orchestrated killings. Early reports suggest that the assailant did not have any pending cases at the Supreme Court nor any affiliations with its various branches, according to the judiciary’s news agency, Mizan. This detail has led some officials to label the incident a “terrorist act”.
A spokesman for Iran’s judiciary hinted at possible internal involvement, describing the shooter as an “infiltrator” within the courthouse premises, suggesting that he might have been employed at the courthouse or had regular access, complicating the security breach.
Both Mogheiseh and Razini had substantial judicial influence and were members of Iran’s Supreme Court, which differs from the singular entity seen in the U.S by having numerous branches across the nation. This allows it to oversee appeals against decisions made by lower courts throughout Iran.
The attack comes amidst a period of significant unrest in Iran, marked by economic struggles and increasingly tense relations on the international stage, notably due to conflicts involving its allies in the Middle East and shifting political dynamics in the United States.
The legacy of both judges in relation to the 1988 executions has been a contentious issue. The events followed the end of Iran’s prolonged conflict with Iraq, after which political prisoners, militants, and others faced what have been described by international observers as sham retrials leading to mass executions. Estimates of those killed vary widely, with some rights groups suggesting numbers up to 5,000, while others believe as many as 30,000 perished.
Razini, in particular, had previously survived an assassination attempt in 1999 when assailants attacked his vehicle. Moreover, Mogheiseh had been under U.S. sanctions since 2019 due to his judicial conduct, which according to the U.S. Treasury, involved numerous unfair trials and severe sentences for journalists and internet users.
While Razini had defended the legitimacy of the 1988 panels in a 2017 interview, asserting they ensured national security and were conducted lawfully, Mogheiseh had not publicly addressed the allegations regarding his part in the executions.
This incident not only reverberates through the corridors of Iran’s judiciary but also poses significant questions about internal security measures, the pervading influence of past political actions, and the potential for further unrest in a nation already dealing with multiple crises.