2025 assassination of Iranian Supreme Court judges
Shooting of Iranian clergy From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
On 18 January 2025, an attack took place at the Supreme Court of Iran, located inside the Palace of Justice in Tehran, Iran.[1] Initial reports stated that the shooting occurred when a man armed with a knife entered, attacking a bodyguard before taking control of the bodyguard's handgun and opening fire. Ali Razini and Mohammad Moghiseh, two senior judges, were shot to death in their offices.[2][3] The judges shot were involved in adjudicating the cases of protesters, artists, and activists[4] in bench trials and reportedly had roles in the 1988 executions of Iranian political prisoners.[1][5]
| 2025 assassination of Iranian Supreme Court judges | |
|---|---|
 The funeral with Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei (center) in attendance | |
| Location | Supreme Court of Iran, Tehran, Iran |
| Coordinates | 35°40′54″N 51°25′08″E |
| Date | 18 January 2025 10:30 a.m. (IRST) |
| Target | Judges |
Attack type | Mass shooting, assassination, murder–suicide, stabbing |
| Weapons | Handgun, knife |
| Deaths | 3 (including the perpetrator) |
| Injured | 1 |
| Victims | Ali Razini and Mohammad Moghiseh |
| Perpetrator | Farshad Asadi |
| Motive | Under investigation |
The perpetrator committed suicide soon after the shooting, before he could be apprehended.[6] No potential motive has been released.[7]
Background
According to Article 161 of the 1979 Constitution of Iran, the Supreme Court (Persian: دیوان عالی کشور, romanized: Divan-e 'Ali-ye Keshvar) is the highest juridical authority in the country, established for "the purpose of supervising the correct implementation of the laws by the courts, ensuring uniformity of judicial procedure, and fulfilling any other responsibilities assigned to it by law."[8] Iran's legal system is based on Islamic law.
In 2005, judge Hassan Moghaddas was also assassinated.[9]
Attack
The perpetrator was identified as 39-year-old Iranian citizen Farshad Asadi (1986–2025).[10] Asadi worked at the Supreme Court of Iran for 7-8 years as a service worker and drink carrier. His motivation is currently unknown, but it is known that the attack was planned and that Asadi did not get the salary increase he wanted. He is being investigated by authorities.[11]
The attack began when Asadi, armed with a knife, entered Branch 39 of the Supreme Court, located inside the Palace of Justice in Tehran[1] and stabbed a bodyguard before taking his handgun.[7] Asadi then fired six shots, killing two senior judges.[12][6] Early reports that three judges of the court had been targeted have been denied by the Iranian government.[13]
The assailant shot himself on the third floor of the building, while fleeing the scene after hearing police sirens.[14][6]
In a media statement, the judiciary said that "preliminary investigations indicate that the perpetrator had no prior cases in the Supreme Court nor was he one of its visitors" and described the attack as a "premeditated assassination."[15]
Fatalities
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Ali Razini (left) and Mohammad Moghiseh (right).
Ali Razini
Ali Razini (Persian: علی رازینی; 23 May 1953[16] – 18 January 2025) was an Iranian judge and politician. He served in the Assembly of Experts from 2007 to 2016.[17] Razini had been a target of an assassination attempt in 1998.[18] At the time of his assassination, he was aged 71.[7]
Mohammad Moghiseh
Mohammad Moghiseh (Persian: محمد مقیسه; 1956 – 18 January 2025) was an Iranian judge. He served on the Supreme Court of Iran from 2020 until his death.[19] Moqiseh (Moghiseh) was the sentencing judge of Nasrin Sotoudeh and adjudicated the case of Hossein Rajabian. He was sanctioned in December 2019 by the United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) "pursuant to E.O. 13846 for engaging in censorship and other activities with respect to Iran on or after 12 July 2009 that prohibit, limit, or penalize the exercise of freedom of expression or assembly by citizens of Iran".[4][20][21] At the time of his assassination, he was aged 68.[6][7]
Aftermath
In a message, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei offered his condolences for the "martyrdom" of both judges.[5] Khamenei also lauded them as Mujahid brothers.[22] President Masoud Pezeshkian said the "terrorist and cowardly" act must be followed up quickly by security forces and law enforcement.[15]
The Iranian judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir stated that the judges were working on "national security cases, including espionage and terrorism."[18] According to the state-affiliated newspaper Tehran Times, a number of people working at the court building where the attack took place were detained.[15]
Prosecutor-General Mohammad Jafar Montazeri described the killings as the "price" the Islamic Republic paid for its "survival." He stated that "capable young judges" would soon replace them.[23]
See also
References
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