Newly inaugurated president Ebrahim Raisi is considered to be one of the main perpetrators of the 1988 massacre. He was only 21 years old at the time of the executions.

The summer of 1988

In the summer of 1988, Raisi became a prominent member of the “death commission” that oversaw the execution of 30,000 political detainees, the majority of them were members of the People’s Mujahedin of Iran (PMOI / MEK Iran).

According to Iranian opposition activists, Raisi worked as a “handyman” for then-Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini and was dispatched to purge areas such as Lorestan, Kermanshah, and Semnan.

 

 

MEK member Mahmoud Royaie

Members of the MEK have now spoken out against the atrocities perpetrated by the Iranian Regime.

MEK member Mahmoud Royaie, spoke about Raisi’s part in executing individuals detained and imprisoned in Iranian prisons prior to the 1988 massacre when Raisi was the prosecutor in Karaj.

“On May 24, 1988, a decree was announced in which Esmail Shoushtari replaced him as the head of the Prisons Organization. Later we found out that Majid Ansari was not deemed to be useful for the Death Committee, but Esmail Shoushtari participated in the Death Committee as the head of the Prisons Organization, from May 24 onwards. This was how the massacre started.” Mr. Royaie explained.

 

 

The real number of executions is unknown

Royaie, who conducted extensive research about the genocide and published it in a series of books, explained that the real number of executions is unknown due to several factor:

“On the basis of the estimates that I have gathered over the past 30 years, I have personally come to the conclusion that the 30,000 figure that has been declared is very cautious,” He explained.

 

 

Reza Malek also gave a specific number, he said 33,700

“In some prisons, there were absolutely no survivors to give their testimonies about the events. So, that is why the number of executions is much higher than we think…

The Deputy Intelligence Minister at the time, Reza Malek, also gave a specific number, he said 33,700. He said more than 30,000 are related to the MEK. He also gave some statistics about mass graves. So, we can’t know the real figures.” Mr. Royaie added.

 

 

Loyalists to the (PMOI / MEK Iran)’s stance should be executed

Royaie remarked that, “these people were executed for one reason. They were executed because they defended the ideal and conduct of the MEK, for defending the ideal of freedom.

This is what Khomeini did not want. That is why Khomeini explicitly wrote that all those who remain loyal to the (PMOI / MEK Iran)’s stance should be executed.”

 

 

MEK supporters sacrifice themselves for the people

“On August 3, 1988, when Mohammad Reza Shahid Eftekhar found out that they will execute him, he said that the tree of a revolutionary is fed by blood, and what other blood than ours? He considered this as an opportunity.

Many imprisoned sisters and brothers, despite the love they had for life, they really loved life, but they chose at this stage to sacrifice themselves for the people. They said that this blood will invigorate a generation, the impact of which we see in the Call for Justice Movement,” He added.

 

 

Witnesses who confronted the regime

This is just one of many witnesses who confronted the regime. As the regime has demonstrated throughout its history, those who opposed the regime were sentenced to dungeons, interrogation rooms, and eventually death.

People are tortured and abused on a regular basis in the hopes that they will forsake any opposition group.

Those who were spared execution in 1988 were primarily saved because they didn’t appear to be significant MEK followers.

 

 

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and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTube