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Iran cleric linked to 1988 mass executions to lead judiciary
Source: Associated Press
Iran cleric linked to 1988 mass executions to lead judiciary
By JON GAMBRELL and AMIR VAHDAT
March 7, 2019
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A hard-line cleric once thought to be a possible successor to Iran’s supreme leader was appointed head of the Islamic Republic’s judiciary Thursday, sparking concern from rights activists over his involvement in the execution of thousands in the 1980s.
Ebrahim Raisi was named to the post in a decree by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.
Raisi’s selection comes after he was trounced by incumbent Hassan Rouhani in the country’s 2017 presidential election. That loss, as well as other concerns, now have some analysts suggesting the move takes him out of the running to become the next supreme leader to replace Khamenei, who will turn 80 this July.
Speculation that Raisi could be named to the post also had sparked criticism from the U.S., which under President Donald Trump has withdrawn from Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers.
Raisi, “involved in mass executions of political prisoners, was chosen to lead #Iran’s judiciary. What a disgrace!” Robert Palladino, a deputy State Department spokesman, wrote on Twitter on Tuesday. “The regime makes a mockery of the legal process by allowing unfair trials and inhumane prison conditions. Iranians deserve better!”
-snip-
By JON GAMBRELL and AMIR VAHDAT
March 7, 2019
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A hard-line cleric once thought to be a possible successor to Iran’s supreme leader was appointed head of the Islamic Republic’s judiciary Thursday, sparking concern from rights activists over his involvement in the execution of thousands in the 1980s.
Ebrahim Raisi was named to the post in a decree by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.
Raisi’s selection comes after he was trounced by incumbent Hassan Rouhani in the country’s 2017 presidential election. That loss, as well as other concerns, now have some analysts suggesting the move takes him out of the running to become the next supreme leader to replace Khamenei, who will turn 80 this July.
Speculation that Raisi could be named to the post also had sparked criticism from the U.S., which under President Donald Trump has withdrawn from Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers.
Raisi, “involved in mass executions of political prisoners, was chosen to lead #Iran’s judiciary. What a disgrace!” Robert Palladino, a deputy State Department spokesman, wrote on Twitter on Tuesday. “The regime makes a mockery of the legal process by allowing unfair trials and inhumane prison conditions. Iranians deserve better!”
-snip-
Read more: https://apnews.com/ee0e777abf19424281c363ef1978ac7f