Iran | Two Senior Iranian Judges Shot Dead in Tehran

Two senior Iranian Supreme Court judges were killed and another wounded in an armed attack in Tehran on Saturday, state media reported.

They were identified as Mohammad Moghiseh and Ali Razini, both high-ranking officials.

A third judge was injured and is receiving medical treatment.

The attacker used a handgun to carry out the shootings before taking his own life, Fars news agency reported.

Initial investigations found that the attacker did not have a case before the court, nor any other connections, the judiciary's press service reported.

The Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority in Iran, with its head appointed by the supreme leader. Headquartered in Tehran, it has branches throughout the country.

In a statement, the judiciary media center called the shooting a "premeditated assassination" targeting "brave and experienced judges."

Razini, who headed Branch 39 of the Supreme Court, had previously survived an assassination attempt in January 1999.

Before his death, he and Moghiseh, who led Branch 53, were involved in cases related to national security, espionage, and terrorism.

Both victims held significant positions in Iran's powerful judicial system. Judge Mohammad Moghiseh had presided over numerous political trials, including cases involving supporters of the 2009 opposition Green Movement. He was under sanctions from both the European Union and the United States for human rights violations.

Judge Ali Razini had served in many high-profile positions and had been accused by Iran's opposition of being involved in a series of extrajudicial killings of political prisoners in 1988.

Source: Iran Wire, RFE/Radio Liberty, Staff, January 18, 2025

Iran: Two judges shot dead outside Supreme Court in Tehran

The Iranian judiciary said three judges were targeted in what it called an assassination attempt outside court in Tehran. The assailant then reportedly took his own life.

A shooting incident occurred at the Supreme Court in the Iranian capital of Tehran on Saturday, with two judges killed.

The judiciary identified the slain judges as Mohammad Moghiseh and Ali Razini.

"Three judges of the Supreme Court were targeted. Two of them were martyred and one was injured," the judiciary's Mizan Online website said.

It added that the "assailant killed himself."

The third judge was also wounded in the attack, as well as a bodyguard.

Judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir told state television later on Saturday that "a person armed with a handgun entered the room" of the two judges and shot them.

He added that the two judges had long been involved in "national security cases, including espionage and terrorism."

The motive for the attack remains unclear. Opposition websites have previously said that Moghiseh was involved in trials of those they describe as political prisoners.

Authorities said an investigation has been launched into the incident.

Source: Reuters, Staff, January 18, 2025

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