Rare deadly shooting of Iranian judges remains largely unexplained
Two Supreme Court judges were shot dead in Tehran on Saturday, state media reported, in a rare deadly attack on senior officials which remains largely unexplained.
Two Supreme Court judges were shot dead in Tehran on Saturday, state media reported, in a rare deadly attack on senior officials which remains largely unexplained.
Mohammad Moghiseh and Ali Razini, both clerics, were named as the victims. Initially, reports suggested that a third judge had been targeted, but this was later denied by the Judiciary.
State media added that the assailant committed suicide after the shooting.
IRGC-affiliated Fars News reported that the attacker was a staff member responsible for refreshments at Iran's judiciary headquarters who used a handgun in the attack.
The Judiciary Media Center, however, issued a different account regarding the incident suggesting the assailant entered from outside.
"This morning, an armed infiltrator at the Supreme Court carried out a premeditated assassination targeting two brave and experienced judges renowned for their fight against crimes against national security, espionage, and terrorism."
"As a result of this terrorist act, two dedicated and revolutionary judges—steadfast in their defense of public security—were killed."
Iran's Supreme Court counts dozens of judges among its ranks.
The shooter was not involved in any cases in the court nor had been inside as a visitor, the outlet added, saying he died by suicide before police could apprehend him.
ILNA news also reported that several members of staff at Tehran's Courthouse, or Palace of Justice, were arrested on the prosecutor's orders, without elaborating.
"Over the past year, the Judiciary has undertaken extensive measures to identify, pursue, arrest, and prosecute agents and elements affiliated with the despised Zionist regime," ISNA News reported, saying Razini was previously targeted in what it called a terrorist assassination attempt.
