Iran celebrates as President Raisi dies in a helicopter crash
20 May 2024 11:52
"Long live free Iran," "the end of the fascist dictator"—such slogans are appearing on social media under videos showing fireworks, including in Tehran. Some Iranians are celebrating the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in this manner. It is estimated that the so-called death commissions, in which he worked, killed about 5,000 people.
This morning, reports of the death of the Iranian president were confirmed. Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash. Earlier, this information was shared by the head of the Iranian Red Crescent, Pir Hossein Kolivand.
In the evening, while some Iranians prayed for the president, others were shooting fireworks out of happiness. Videos from Tehran have surfaced on the internet with the slogan "Long live free Iran."
Fireworks after Raisi's death. "Long live free Iran"
"So happy for the people of Iran: The fascist dictator, Ebrahim Raisi, is dead. Fireworks are going off across Iran as people celebrate the end of the man who organized the execution of tens of thousands of civilians & sponsored terrorism globally," writes journalist and political advisor Jason Jay Smart.
As Sarah Raviani, a human rights activist from the National Union for Democracy in Iran, writes, since last night's death in the country's capital, Tehran, the streets have been patrolled by authorities. The police and military are to prevent possible demonstrations and protests. They are also ensuring that people do not shoot fireworks or celebrate the president's death in any way.
Raisi's death commissions killed about 5,000 people
The President of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, died in a helicopter crash that took place in the East Azerbaijan province. Raisi, known for his ultraconservative approach, was considered a protégé of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and a potential candidate to succeed him.
Non-governmental organisations accused Raisi of human rights violations in 1988 when, as a prosecutor, he sentenced political prisoners and fighters to death.
It is estimated that the so-called death commissions, in which he worked, decided on the execution of about 5,000 people.
