Saeed Mortazavi: The Controversial Former Judge and Prosecutor of Tehran

The Zahra Kazemi Case

Among the most notorious incidents linked to Mortazavi is the case of Zahra Kazemi, an Iranian-Canadian photojournalist who died in custody in July 2003. Kazemi was arrested for photographing a demonstration outside Evin Prison and subsequently suffered fatal injuries while being interrogated. Mortazavi, who was serving as the prosecutor at the time, faced accusations of negligence and direct involvement in her mistreatment and subsequent death.

Despite the public outcry and condemnation from various human rights organizations, Mortazavi managed to evade accountability for many years. This incident not only escalated tensions between Iran and Western nations but also underscored the systemic issues plaguing the Iranian judicial system.

His Later Career

After a long stint as Tehran’s prosecutor, Mortazavi was appointed as the deputy prosecutor general in 2009. In the years that followed, he held various significant positions, including heading the Central Headquarters for Combating Smuggling of Goods and Currency and later taking the reins of the Social Security Organization. Despite his controversial past, these appointments seemed to reflect a degree of political backing from certain factions within the Iranian government.

However, Mortazavi’s career took a downturn following the installation of a new chief justice, which resulted in his suspension from judicial duties in 2010. The revocation of his judicial immunity came in the wake of tragic events at the Kahrizak detention center, where inmates were reportedly tortured and several were killed under suspicious circumstances.

February 8, 2025 | 3:28 am