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On Saturday, an armed attacker claimed the lives of two prominent Iranian judges within the walls of the Islamic Republic’s supreme court. The incident has sent shockwaves throughout Iran, as both judges were infamous for their harsh sentencing practices, earning them the titles of “judges of death” and “executioners.”
The slain judges, Mohammad Moghiseh and Ali Razini, had lengthy careers marked by controversial decisions, including a significant number of executions. Iran’s judiciary reported that the shooting was indicative of a “planned assassination,” executed by an armed intruder inside the supreme court in Tehran.
According to initial investigations, the perpetrator had no legal business at the court and was not a guest at its facilities, raising questions about his intent and means of access.
Eyewitness accounts state that the attacker shot the judges before taking his own life shortly afterward. State officials are now trying to ascertain the motives behind this brazen attack.
Speculations of External Influence
Asghar Jahangir, a spokesman for the judiciary, described the assailant as armed with a handgun and expressed concerns over the motivations behind the attack. “We don’t have a clear understanding of what prompted this act,” he noted, emphasizing that investigations are ongoing.
Despite no groups having claimed responsibility, Iranian authorities have not dismissed the possibility of foreign involvement. Jahangir indicated that over the past year, Iran’s judiciary has intensified efforts to combat perceived threats from entities linked to foreign adversaries.
Following the shooting, security measures were heightened, and the building was evacuated as officials examined the scene.
A Target of Controversy
This assassination represents one of the most significant assaults on Iran’s legal system in recent memory. Both judges were pivotal figures, holding prestigious roles within the Iranian judiciary.
Judge Moghiseh, who faced sanctions from both the United States and European Union for his role in human rights abuses, was known for imposing severe sentences, amassing over 1,600 years of prison terms in recent years. His legal actions particularly affected political dissidents following the tumultuous events surrounding Iran’s 2009 presidential election protests.
Moghiseh’s counterpart, Razini, had a notable career trajectory, previously surviving a car bombing in 1999. He also played significant roles as Tehran’s Revolutionary Prosecutor and was deeply involved in judicial processes concerning the notorious 1988 executions of political prisoners.
Human rights advocates have sharply criticized both judges for their ongoing involvement in what many regard as crimes against humanity. Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of a Norway-based human rights organization, labeled them as “directly involved in crimes against humanity,” emphasizing their role in sanctioning the execution of the regime’s adversaries.
Voices from the Past
In the aftermath of the shooting, former prisoners who had been subjected to the judges’ rulings took to social media to share their harrowing experiences.
One former inmate recounted their trial at the hands of Moghiseh, where the proceedings lasted less than nine minutes, resulting in a heavy prison sentence. This individual described an encounter that demonstrated the grim realities faced by others in the system.
Another former prisoner recounted a chilling moment when Moghiseh remarked, “We should put explosives in your mouth and blow it up,” illustrating the atmosphere of fear and intimidation that pervaded trials overseen by these judges.
Source
www.yahoo.com