State Department Faces Criticism for Condolences Over Death of Iran’s President, the “Butcher of Tehran”

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State Department Statement

In an official statement, the State Department expressed its sympathies for the deaths of President Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and other members of their delegation.

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 “As Iran selects a new president, we reaffirm our support for the Iranian people and their struggle for human rights and fundamental freedoms,” said spokesperson Matthew Miller.

Ebrahim Raisi, infamously known as the “Butcher of Tehran,” was involved in the mass executions of political prisoners in 1988. His death necessitated the appointment of interim leadership by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Filitti criticized the State Department’s response. “While it is understandable for the State Department to issue condolences when there is the death of a foreign head of state, it’s baffling that someone with such an atrocious record of violating human rights, supporting global terrorism, and targeting the United States and its allies is receiving condolences from the U.S. government,” he added.

Mounting Criticism of State

“Raisi has been responsible for the incarceration, torture, rape, and murder of tens of thousands of people over the last few decades,” said Gerard Filitti, senior counsel with the Lawfare Project, which provides pro bono legal services to protect civil and human rights globally. “Raisi is not a man who will be missed.”