What led to President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran being dubbed “The Butcher of Tehran”?

Ebrahim Raisi, a highly controversial figure in Iranian politics, met a tragic end in a helicopter crash in northern Iran. Known as “The Butcher of Tehran,” Raisi’s political journey was marked by dark and brutal actions that left a lasting impact on Iran’s history.

Raisi began his political career after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, where he quickly rose to power as prosecutor-general of Karaj and Hamadan provinces at just 20 years old. His early career was marred by the persecution of minorities, particularly the Baha’is, Iran’s largest religious minority, leading to numerous deaths and imprisonments.

The most infamous chapter of Raisi’s career occurred in 1988 when he was part of the “Death Commissions” that oversaw the mass execution of political prisoners following a ceasefire in the Iran-Iraq War. Reports suggest that thousands of political prisoners were executed under his watch, solidifying his brutal reputation.

Despite his controversial past, Raisi continued to climb the political ladder in Iran, serving as deputy head of the judiciary and later as prosecutor-general. He faced sanctions from the United States for human rights violations and played a key role in Iran’s nuclear program, leading to heightened tensions with the West.

Internally, Raisi’s presidency was marked by severe crackdowns on dissent, with brutal repression of protests and violations of human rights. His death marks the end of a controversial chapter in Iran’s political history, but his legacy as “The Butcher of Tehran” will continue to cast a shadow over the country for years to come.