Assassination of Iranian Supreme Court Judges Sparks Investigations

In a shocking incident, two senior Iranian judges, Ali Razini and Mohammad Moghiseh, were shot dead at the supreme court in Tehran. The attack, described as a premeditated assassination, has prompted an investigation into the assassin's motives and connections, with implications related to their controversial judicial histories.

In a striking event that has sent ripples throughout Iran, two senior judges from the Islamic Republic's supreme court were shot dead on Saturday morning in Tehran. The judiciary's official news website, Mizan, reported that judges Ali Razini and Mohammad Moghiseh were victims of an armed attack within the courthouse. Eyewitness accounts suggest that following the shooting, the assailant turned the gun on himself while attempting to escape the scene. A security detail, tasked with protecting the judges, was also injured during the incident.

Although the exact motives behind the attack remain unconfirmed, both judges are recognized for their controversial roles in the years of political oppression against dissenters during the 1980s and 1990s in Iran. Mizan characterized the incident as a "premeditated assassination" and indicated through initial investigations that the assailant had no direct involvement with any judicial proceedings currently underway at the supreme court.

Judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir reported on state television that the attacker entered the courtroom with a handgun and opened fire, indicating a premeditated intent rather than a spontaneous assault. The investigation has been launched to determine whether others were complicit in the planning or execution of the attack.

The background of both judges is particularly significant. Judge Razini survived an assassination attempt back in 1998, highlighting the high-stakes nature of their positions. Meanwhile, Judge Moghiseh has faced international scrutiny and sanctions—he was designated by the U.S. Treasury in 2019 for presiding over what the U.S. described as numerous unfair trials that suffered serious violations of due process. Further, in 2023, Canada placed sanctions on Moghiseh among other Iranian judges for their roles in egregious human rights violations.

The severity of the ramifications from this deadly attack extends beyond the individuals involved, potentially signaling deeper issues concerning judicial independence and security within Iran’s legal framework amid ongoing civic unrest. With an investigation underway, the government must address the implications of the judges' controversial pasts and how it might affect the stability of Iran's judiciary.