DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — In a shocking incident in Iran’s capital on Saturday, a man fatally shot two notable hard-line judges known for their roles in significant political repression during the 1980s. Officials have reported that Clerics Mohammad Mogheiseh and Ali Razini were attacked, with both judges linked to the mass execution of political dissidents in 1988.
No organization has claimed responsibility for the assassination of the judges; however, Razini had previously been a target of violence due to his past involvement in the controversial executions, including a previous assassination attempt in 1999. This unprecedented attack on the judiciary coincides with various pressing issues in Iran, including economic challenges, the diminished influence of its allies in the Middle East due to ongoing conflicts, and the political climate in the U.S. with Donald Trump’s anticipated return to the presidency.
According to reports from the state-run IRNA news agency, both judges served on Iran’s Supreme Court. The attack occurred at the Palace of Justice in Tehran, which is typically under tight security and serves as the headquarters for the judiciary. A bodyguard for one of the judges sustained injuries during the incident. Following the shooting, the assailant, who was armed with a handgun, took his own life.
The judiciary’s Mizan news agency stated that initial investigations revealed the gunman was not a client of the Supreme Court nor involved in any ongoing cases, prompting authorities to initiate a manhunt for others linked to this violent episode. Asghar Jahangir, a representative of Iran’s judiciary, characterized the assailant as an “infiltrator,” implying prior access to the courthouse, and later revealed that further individuals are being investigated or detained in relation to the event.
Unlike the Supreme Court in the United States, the Iranian Supreme Court is decentralized with various branches across the nation, acting as the highest judicial authority that reviews appeals against decisions made by lower courts. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed his condolences regarding the tragic deaths of both judges in a public message.
Razini had previously faced an assassination attempt in January 1999 when his vehicle was attacked with explosives, resulting in injuries as he was leaving his position as head of the judiciary in Tehran. Mogheiseh had been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury since 2019 for allegedly presiding over numerous biased trials, during which evidence was overlooked and defendants received unjust sentences. According to the Treasury, he famously sentenced numerous journalists and internet activists to long prison terms and pursued legal action against Baha’i community members for allegedly conducting religious ceremonies.
Activists and exiles have identified both judges as participants in the 1988 executions, which followed Iran’s lengthy conflict with Iraq. This dark chapter began after then-Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini accepted a U.N.-brokered ceasefire, allowing the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq (MEK), a congress of exiled Iranian opposition groups allied with Saddam Hussein, to launch a surprise assault against Iran, leading to violent crackdowns on political dissent.
Although the Iranian government has traditionally downplayed the scale of the 1988 executions, human rights organizations estimate that as many as 5,000 individuals may have been executed, while the MEK claims the figure to be as high as 30,000. All executions purportedly occurred under Khomeini’s orders, and while the Iranian regime has resisted full disclosure, discussions about accountability have been minimal. The MEK did not respond when contacted for a comment.
While Mogheiseh has not publicly addressed his alleged participation in the 1988 “death commissions,” Razini defended their legitimacy in a 2017 interview, asserting their actions were lawful and necessary to maintain national security against the MEK’s perceived threats. He highlighted the diligence of a group of judges, including himself, in ensuring the stability of the nation during turbulent times.
