Two Supreme Court justices have been assassinated by an unidentified assailant, according to IRNA News. The incident occurred on Saturday, with the perpetrator taking his own life after an attempt to arrest him. The victims were Hojjat al-Islam Razini and Hojjat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen Moqisseh, who were both prominent figures in the Iranian judiciary.
The judiciary’s media center described the two judges as “brave and experienced,” particularly noting their roles in combating national security threats. Both were involved in high-profile cases and were regarded for their strict stance on dealing with security-related crimes. The attack was deemed a “planned act” by authorities, who noted that the assassin had no known connections to the Supreme Court or its clients.
Following the shooting, the gunman reportedly tried to flee but ultimately committed suicide outside the courthouse before being arrested. Iranian officials have launched an investigation into the attack, but have refrained from pointing fingers at any specific group or country, though they alluded to potential links with foreign adversaries.
The judiciary also hinted at the broader geopolitical context of the attack, pointing to the country’s ongoing efforts to target “agents and elements affiliated with the Zionist regime and US agents, spies, and terrorist groups.” Iran has long accused foreign powers of meddling in its internal affairs, and this latest attack could be seen as a manifestation of those tensions.
Hojjat al-Islam Razini, who had survived an assassination attempt in 1998 when assailants placed a bomb on his vehicle, was previously a significant figure in the Tehran judiciary. Both judges were reportedly involved in the controversial 1988 purge of dissidents, particularly targeting members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK), a group opposed to the Islamic Republic that has been accused of violence against civilians since the 1979 revolution.
While the identity of the assailant remains unclear, the attack on two of Iran’s top judicial officials is a stark reminder of the volatility within the country, as well as the ongoing conflict between Iran and groups opposed to its government. The judiciary has promised to continue its investigation into the tragic deaths, with calls for swift justice in the wake of the brazen assassination.
