Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, known for his harsh crackdowns on political opposition and considered a potential successor to the supreme leader, has died at 63 in a helicopter crash in northern Iran, state media reported Monday.
During his presidency, Raisi led a severe crackdown on protests after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in 2022, enforced a strict dress code for women, and intensified uranium enrichment following the U.S. withdrawal from a landmark nuclear deal. His term also saw increased military tensions with Israel and the West, with Iran supporting Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthi rebels in Yemen, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
During the summer of 1988, Ebrahim Raisi was a key member of the "Death Commission" responsible for the execution of thousands of political prisoners, primarily members of the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK) and other leftist groups. Estimates suggest that the number of victims ranges from several thousand to as many as 30,000. Raisi was often referred to as the “Butcher of Tehran,” a moniker given by activists who accused him of being one of the four judges responsible for the mass execution of thousands of political prisoners following the Iran-Iraq war.
In 1999, Raisi played a significant role in the crackdown on student protests. The judiciary, under his influence, authorized the arrest and torture of many students, leading to deaths and severe injuries among the protesters.
During the 2009 Green Movement protests, Raisi supported the brutal suppression of demonstrators challenging the presidential election results. Security forces killed numerous protesters, with many others subjected to arrest, torture, and unfair trials under his judicial oversight.
In late 2017, widespread protests erupted across Iran due to economic hardship and political grievances. Raisi, then a prominent judicial figure, endorsed severe measures against protesters. Security forces killed at least 25 people and arrested thousands, many of whom faced harsh sentences.
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In November 2019, Iranians protested a sudden fuel price hike. The response, overseen by Raisi as head of the judiciary, was lethal. Human rights groups estimate that security forces killed between 300 and 1,500 protesters and bystanders. Many detainees faced torture and execution.
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Raisi's firm stance was evident domestically when, a year after his election, he ordered authorities to tighten enforcement of Iran's "hijab and chastity law," resulting in nationwide protests after the death of Mahsa Amini in custody. The crackdown, which included the loss of both civilian and security personnel lives, posed a significant challenge to Iran's clerical rulers. Despite support from Supreme Leader Khamenei, Raisi's popularity at home may have waned due to ongoing protests against clerical rule and economic struggles exacerbated by Western sanctions and mismanagement.
Throughout his career in the judiciary, Raisi has been associated with systematic torture and executions of political prisoners and dissidents. His tenure saw numerous instances where prisoners were subjected to inhumane conditions and denied fair trials, leading to extrajudicial killings.
Raisi's judicial policies have disproportionately targeted ethnic minorities, including Kurds, Baluchis, and Arabs. These groups have faced severe crackdowns, with many members being killed, arrested, and subjected to unfair trials and executions under his orders.
Under Raisi’s judicial influence, religious minorities such as Baha'is and Christians have faced persecution. Numerous members of these communities have been executed, imprisoned, or subjected to forced disappearances, contributing to a climate of fear and repression.
Ebrahim Raisi's involvement in these events highlights his role in severe human rights abuses throughout his career in Iran's judiciary and as president. His actions have led to the deaths and suffering of thousands, drawing condemnation from international human rights organizations and governments.