2 judges shot dead at Iran's supreme court: media

TEHRAN, IRAN — 

Two judges were killed successful a shooting onslaught connected Saturday astatine the Supreme Court gathering successful Tehran, authorities media reported.

"Three judges of the Supreme Court were targeted. Two of them were martyred," the Judiciary's Mizan Online website reported, adding that the "assailant killed himself."

State quality bureau IRNA besides reported that 1 different idiosyncratic was injured successful the attack.

Mizan identified the 2 slain judges arsenic Ali Razini and Mohammad Moghisseh, adding that they worked connected cases "fighting crimes against nationalist security, espionage and terrorism."

The motive down their sidesplitting were not instantly clear, but Mizan said the assailant was not progressive successful immoderate cases earlier the Supreme Court, without providing further details connected the attacker's identity.

Authorities said an probe into the incidental was launched, Mizan added.

Veteran justice Moghisseh, 68, was sanctioned successful 2019 by the United States for having "overseen countless unfair trails, during which charges went unsubstantiated and grounds was disregarded," according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Razini, 71, held respective important positions successful Iran's judiciary and was antecedently targeted successful a 1998 assassination effort by assailants "who planted a magnetic weaponry successful his vehicle," according to Mizan.

Though attacks targeting judges are rare, Iran has seen a fig of shootings targeting high-profile figures implicit the past years.

In October, a Shiite Muslim preacher was changeable dormant successful the confederate metropolis of Kazeroun aft starring Friday prayers.

In April 2023, a almighty cleric identified arsenic Abbas Ali Soleimani was besides changeable dormant astatine a slope successful the bluish state of Mazandaran.

And successful August 2005, renowned Iranian justice Hassan Moghaddas was murdered by 2 gunmen who climbed into his car successful the mediate of a engaged concern territory successful Tehran.

Two men convicted implicit his sidesplitting were publically executed by hanging 2 years later.