Tehran, Iran – In a tragic incident early on Saturday, two senior judges were fatally shot at the Supreme Court in Tehran. The assailant, who carried out the shooting inside the court, later took his own life, as confirmed by a statement from the Iranian judiciary’s media center.
The victims of the attack were identified as Ali Razini, the head of Branch 39 of the Supreme Court, and Mohammad Moghiseh, head of Branch 53. Described as courageous and experienced, both men were senior Muslim scholars holding the rank of hujjat al-Islam. They were known for their active involvement in combatting national security crimes, espionage, and terrorism.
The attack occurred on the first working day of the Iranian week when the assailant entered the judges’ office armed with a handgun and opened fire before taking his own life. Iranian state television reported that a bodyguard of one of the judges was also injured during the incident.
The identity of the attacker and the motive behind the shooting remain unclear, with the judiciary labeling it a “premeditated act of terror.” While no group has claimed responsibility, authorities have initiated an investigation into the matter, with early indications suggesting that the assailant was not a visitor with prior connections to the court.
Ali Razini, 71, had a longstanding presence in Iran’s judiciary and had survived an assassination attempt in 1998 during his tenure as head of Tehran’s judiciary. Mohammad Moghiseh, 68, faced sanctions from the US in 2019 for overseeing unfair trials within the Iranian judicial system.
The heinous attack has sparked condemnation from Iranian officials, with Judiciary chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Ejei expressing indignation over the killings, attributing the targets to their resolute actions against terrorists. President Masoud Pezeshkian denounced the attack as a “terrorist and cowardly” act, urging swift responses from law enforcement and security forces.
While such attacks on high-profile individuals in Iran are rare, this incident has reignited concerns regarding the safety of judicial officials. As investigations into the attack progress, updates will be provided on the unfolding developments.