Who Was Ebrahim Raisi? Iranian President Killed in Helicopter Crash

Highlights:

• Ebrahim Raisi was elected President of Iran in 2021.
• He served as the Chief Justice of Iran in 1994.
• He was part of the ‘Death Committee’ responsible for executing thousands of prisoners.

Ebrahim Raisi: Iranian President Dies in Helicopter Crash

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi has died in a helicopter crash. According to state media, the helicopter carrying Raisi and other officials, including Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, crashed on May 19 in the Dizmar forest in East Azarbaijan Province. There were no survivors.

The helicopter, one of three in a convoy, went down in heavy fog in the northern part of the country. Raisi was en route to Tabriz in northwestern Iran after attending a dam opening ceremony near the Azerbaijan border.

Ebrahim Raisi: A Controversial Figure in Iranian Politics

Ebrahim Raisi, the 63-year-old President of Iran, was a polarizing figure known for his hardline stance and close ties to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His sudden death in a helicopter crash on Sunday has sent shockwaves through the nation and the international community.

Raisi’s journey through Iran’s political landscape was marked by significant achievements, as well as controversial episodes that shaped his legacy.

Who was Ebrahim Raisi?

Early Life

Born in 1960 in Mashhad, Iran, Raisi’s early life was marked by tragedy and resilience.

• His father, a cleric, passed away when Raisi was just five years old. Despite this early loss, Raisi pursued religious studies, following in his father’s footsteps.

Education and Career Start

1. Religious Studies:

• At 15, Raisi began his education at a Shia institution in Qom, a city known for its holy mosque revered by Shia Muslims.

2. Political Involvement:

• He continued his anti-Shah activities and later supported Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who led the Islamic Revolution that ousted the Shah in 1979.

Political Rise

1. Early Career: By 20, Raisi became the Prosecutor General of Karaj near Tehran.

2. Judicial Career

Raisi’s judicial career began in earnest in the early years of the Islamic Republic. His rise through the ranks was swift; by 1994, he was appointed as the Chief Justice of Iran.

responsible for the mass execution of political prisoners

However, his tenure in the judiciary is most notably remembered for his role in the ‘Death Committee’ of 1988, a group responsible for the mass execution of political prisoners.

• This period remains one of the most contentious in Iran’s history, with Raisi’s involvement drawing significant criticism from human rights organizations worldwide.

3. Radical Views:

Known for his extreme radical political views, Raisi was close to Iran’s supreme religious leader, Ayatollah Ali Khomeini.

• Despite the controversies, Raisi continued to ascend politically. In 2019, he was appointed head of the judiciary by Ayatollah Khamenei, a position he used to launch anti-corruption campaigns that garnered public support.
• His reputation as a hardliner and his close relationship with the Supreme Leader paved the way for his presidential bid.

Presidency

Raisi was elected President of Iran in 2021, winning a landslide victory in an election marked by low voter turnout and the disqualification of many reformist candidates.

• Raisi succeeded moderate Hassan Rouhani as President of Iran in June 2021.

Campaign Promises:

• He campaigned as a solution to corruption and economic crises, wearing a black turban to signify his claimed descent from Prophet Muhammad and holding the religious title ‘Hujjaatul Islam’ (Proof of Islam).

Controversial Legacy

Judiciary and ‘Death Committee

1. Judicial Career:

• Post-Islamic Revolution, Raisi worked in various judicial capacities and received training from Ayatollah Khomeini.

2. ‘Death Committee’:

• At 25, as Iran’s deputy prosecutor, Raisi joined the 1988 intelligence tribunals that re-tried political prisoners, leading to thousands of executions of members of groups like Mujahedin-e-Khalka (MEK).

3. Human Rights Accusations:

• Human rights groups estimate around 5,000 political prisoners were executed and buried in mass graves, labeling it a crime against humanity. Raisi has denied involvement but justified the sentences based on a fatwa from Iran’s former supreme leader.

Recent Activities

Military Actions and Domestic Unrest

1. Recent Aggression:

• Under Raisi and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran recently launched a significant drone-and-missile attack on Israel.

2. Enriched Uranium:

• Iran has enriched uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels.

3. Domestic Protests:

• Iran has faced mass protests over economic issues and women’s rights, exacerbating tensions amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

Reactions to His Death

Public Response in Iran

• Celebrations and Criticism: Some Iranians have celebrated Raisi’s death with fireworks, memes, and jokes, reflecting deep-seated grievances and opposition to his policies and past actions.

India’s Stand

State Mourning

• Respect for the Departed: As a mark of respect, the Government of India has declared a one-day State mourning on May 21, 2024, throughout the country.
• National Flag: On this day, the national flag will be flown at half-mast on all buildings where it is regularly flown, and there will be no official entertainment.

Conclusion

Ebrahim Raisi’s legacy is a complex one. For his supporters, he was a staunch defender of the Islamic Republic’s values and a relentless fighter against corruption. For his detractors, he was a figure associated with some of the darkest chapters in Iran’s history.

As Iran mourns the loss of its president, the nation is left to grapple with the impact of Raisi’s policies and the direction of its future without one of its most controversial leaders.