Two senior justices from Iran’s Supreme Court were shot and killed at the court building in Tehran on Saturday. An armed man opened fire before taking his own life.
The victims, Hojjat al-Islam Razini and Hojjat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen Moqisseh, led different branches of the Supreme Court. Both judges had worked on cases related to national security, espionage, and terrorism. The judiciary described them as brave and experienced.
A judiciary spokesperson told Iranian state television that the attacker entered the room and shot the two judges. Investigators have not yet revealed his motive or identity.
Reports suggest the assailant had no previous connection with the Supreme Court. A bodyguard also sustained injuries in the attack. Authorities are still investigating and searching for any other individuals involved.
Razini, aged 71, had survived an assassination attempt in 1998 when he served as Tehran’s judiciary head. Moqisseh, aged 68, faced US sanctions in 2019 for overseeing unfair trials and ignoring evidence.
Although attacks on judges are rare, shootings of high-profile figures have occurred in Iran in recent years.
