‘5k were murdered’ – Andrew Neil lists reasons why ‘few’ will mourn Iran’s President Raisi

Iran has been shaken by the sudden death of its President, Ebrahim Raisi, in a helicopter crash in the country’s northwest. The crash also claimed the lives of the country’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, the governor of Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, and several other officials and bodyguards.

However, amid the shock and global displays of mourning, Andrew Neil, a prominent political commentator, has stirred controversy with his blunt response to the incident.

Neil, known for his candid opinions, minced no words in his assessment of Raisi’s legacy. “Ebrahim Raisi, the Butcher of Tehran, aka President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, is dead,” Neil wrote on X.

“He played a key role in the mass execution of political prisoners in the late 1980s — perhaps as many as 5,000 murdered — and as president, he escalated enforcement of the hijab law, under which young women were tortured and killed, and increased repression against the people of Iran. I doubt many will be mourning his death.”

Neil’s comments highlight the contentious nature of Raisi’s rule, marked by allegations of human rights abuses and authoritarian governance.

Raisi’s tenure saw a significant crackdown on dissent, with reports of widespread repression and violence against political opponents and marginalised communities.

Iran’s first Vice President, Mohammad Mokhber, has been appointed as acting president in the wake of Raisi’s death.

Mokhber, a figure relatively unknown to the public, now finds himself thrust into the spotlight as he assumes the responsibilities of leading the nation during this period of transition.

Despite his low-key profile, Mokhber has held influential positions within Iran’s power structure, particularly within the country’s charitable foundations.

His association with organisations like the Execution of Imam Khomeini’s Order (EIKO) has drawn scrutiny from international observers, with allegations of rights abuses and economic mismanagement.