Two senior judges were fatally shot on Saturday in a shocking attack at the Supreme Court building in Tehran, as reported by Iranian state media.
The incident, described by authorities as a “planned assassination,” has sparked widespread concern.
According to Mizan Online, the judiciary’s official website, the victims were Ali Razini, 71, and Mohammad Moghisseh, 68. Both judges were involved in handling high-profile cases related to national security, espionage, and terrorism.
The gunman, whose identity has not been disclosed, reportedly infiltrated the court building and targeted the judges in their chambers. Judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir confirmed, “A person armed with a handgun entered the room of the two judges and shot them.”
The attacker allegedly committed suicide immediately after the shooting. Another individual sustained injuries during the incident and is currently receiving treatment.
Authorities have launched a thorough investigation, with several individuals already identified, summoned, or detained in connection with the attack. However, officials have yet to determine the motive behind the shooting. Notably, the assailant had no known involvement in any ongoing Supreme Court cases.
The slain judges were prominent figures in Iran’s judiciary.
- Ali Razini was a veteran judge with decades of experience and had survived a 1998 assassination attempt when a magnetic bomb was planted on his vehicle.
- Mohammad Moghisseh was sanctioned by the United States in 2019 for overseeing trials criticized as unfair by international observers.
Their deaths mark a significant loss for Iran’s judiciary, as both were deeply involved in cases of national importance.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed condolences to the families of the victims and called for swift action. “I strongly urge the security and law enforcement forces to take the necessary measures as soon as possible by examining the dimensions and angles of this reprehensible act and to identify its perpetrators,” Pezeshkian stated.
Although attacks targeting judges are rare in Iran, the country has seen an increase in shootings involving prominent figures.
- In October 2024, a Shiite preacher was killed in Kazerun after leading Friday prayers.
- In April 2023, influential cleric Abbas Ali Soleimani was shot dead in a northern Iranian bank.
- In August 2005, renowned judge Hassan Moghaddas was assassinated in Tehran, with the perpetrators later publicly executed.
The recent attack underscores growing security concerns surrounding Iran’s judiciary and other high-profile figures.
As authorities work to uncover the full scope of the assassination plot, questions remain about the gunman’s motive and possible connections to external groups. The judiciary has vowed to intensify security measures to protect its officials, as the incident marks a troubling escalation of violence within the country.
This tragedy not only highlights vulnerabilities within Iran’s justice system but also raises alarm over the increasing frequency of targeted attacks against public figures in recent years.
