TEHRAN – Two Iranian Supreme Court judges were killed on Saturday in a shooting attack. They have been identified as Ali Razini, head of Branch 39 of the Supreme Court, and Mohammad Moqiseh, head of Branch 53.

The two veteran judges were dealing with offenses against national security, espionage, and terrorism. 

“A person armed with a handgun entered the room of the two veteran judges before noon Saturday and martyred them,” Judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir said, adding a bodyguard of the judges was injured in the attack. 

"The gunman immediately committed suicide while running away and we cannot talk about his motives at the moment," he said.

"Martyrs Razini and Moqiseh were always the target of malice held by the enemies because of their brilliant records," Jahangir said.

"In the past year, the Judiciary has taken extensive measures to identify spies and hypocritical groups, and this has led to the anger and resentment of the enemies," Jahangir said.

According to the initial investigations, the armed assailant had neither lodged a complaint at the Supreme Court nor referred to any court branches. The identity and potential affiliation of the gunmen have not been disclosed.

Razini previously survived an assassination attempt in January 1998 when assailant motorcyclists attached a magnetic bomb to his vehicle. In that attack, he was injured.

Iran’s prosecutor-general has ordered the assassination of the two judges to be investigated as a “priority case”.

Judiciary head, president address attack

Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei released a statement hours after the attack, in which he attributed the assassination to the two judges’ dedication to law and justice. “The tragic loss of two prominent, revolutionary judges, Hojjat al-Islam Ali Razini and Mohammad Moqiseh, in a terrorist attack on Saturday, has deeply saddened and grieved everyone serving in the judiciary of the Islamic Republic,” the Judiciary head wrote.

“Over many years of dedicated service, these two martyrs were always at the forefront of justice, fighting tirelessly to uphold the rights of the oppressed against oppressors, criminals, and wrongdoers. They remained steadfast in prosecuting and punishing terrorists, spies, murderers, and those threatening citizens' security. Their courage, decisiveness, and frankness in their judicial duties often angered traitors and hypocrites,” he added.

Ejei explained that Razini and Moqiseh were true believers in the Islamic Revolution and followers of its leaders, genuinely serving the people. Their uncompromising stance against terrorists, whose hands were stained with the pure blood of Iranians, made them targets of the enemies' hatred, he said.

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations and condolences to the esteemed families, friends, and colleagues of these two revolutionary and sincere judges, as well as to the entire nation of Iran.”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also offered his condolences in a separate message. He ordered Iran’s security forces to launch a thorough investigation on the matter and noted that the two judges’ martyrdom would not obstruct the process of justice. “Their path will continue,” the president wrote.